What is SAP?
SAP
- Federal regulations require institutions that participate in Title IV Federal Aid Programs to monitor a student’s academic progress. They use standards such as grade point average, completion ratio and time frame. A student must meet satisfactory academic progress to remain eligible for financial aid.
- Read and Review the SAP Policy at: students.otc.edu/financialaid/enactus-meeting-2/keep/
Why am I on probation from financial aid?
Probation
- A student must meet satisfactory academic progress to remain eligible for financial aid. OTC places students on probation when he/she fails to meet SAP policy requirements. NOTE: OTC calculates the completion ratio from all attempted credit hours from all semesters at OTC.
- OTC notifies students by email of their status after grades post at the end of each term.
How do I appeal financial aid probation?
Appeals
- OTC notifies students via email of their status after grades post at the end of each term.
- Use the link in the email notification to submit an appeal online. Be sure to submit any supportive documentation to Student Services.
- If you are unable to find the link, please request an appeal link from financialaid@otc.edu. It may take 24-48 hours to receive the link.
What does it mean to be Over the Maximum Timeframe?
Over the Maximum Timeframe
- The federal government allows a time limit for completing a degree program. In other words, there are a maximum number of credit hours for which assistance can be awarded.
Credit Hour Limits
- 96 credit hours for Associate Degree
- 48 credit hours for Certificate
- 150% of program length
How do I plan my degree program for my financial aid appeal?
Student Planning
In MyOTC, click on Student Planning. From your degree audit, plan each course required to graduate. To create your plan, select the course in your degree audit, click Add Course to Plan, then select the term you plan to take the course. The Financial Aid Appeal Committee needs to know your plan of action from now until graduation and how you expect to fulfill Satisfactory Academic Progress standards. If you are graduating, you cannot plan your program. Be sure to indicate that in your appeal explanation.
See more on Planning Courses from your Degree Audit.
FINANCIAL AID STATUS/AWARDS
Has my FASFA been processed? Do I need to make corrections?
FASFA Processing and Corrections
First: follow-up with your FAFSA at www.studentaid.gov and go to Column #3 to
- Check status
- Make corrections
- Make sure all signature requirements have been met
- View and print your Report
- Check to see if your FAFSA application was selected for verification
Important Points to Understand
If you:
- Are under verification, you will not see award amounts until the verification is complete.
- Have submitted all verification paperwork, please know it takes time the institution to link your paperwork. If you submitted your paperwork, you may still receive an email requesting the information if it has been within the last 10-14 days.
- SAP status is Suspension or Over the Time Frame, you will not have financial aid eligibility unless OTC grants you an appeal. You must complete E-Advisor before submitting an appeal.
- See Direct Loans in MyOTC under My Awards and do not want loans, please decline your loan awards in MyOTC at My Awards.
How much financial aid am I eligible for?
Financial Aid Eligibility
- Generally, OTC suggests that students view their awards by logging in to MyOTC and selecting My Awards. It is important to note that the Federal Student Aid office sets all awards at the maximum amount for a full-time enrollment status. So, what you see may not be what you will get. For example, the federal Pell Grant pays per the number of credit hours a student is attending.
- If a student is attending less than full-time, they will not receive the full amount shown on the awards page. A student who has 2nd 8-week block classes will not receive the funds for those hours until they are attending those classes.
- If you are less than full-time and curious how the Pell Grant pays, click here.
- To be eligible for loans, you must be a half-time student. Also, you must activate your loan by completing the Direct Loan Application Process.
Minimum number of hours required to be half-time:
FALL-6 credit hours
SPRING-6 credit hours
SUMMER-3 credit hours
- Other financial aid awards (including loans, scholarships and some grants) may be adjusted once the Federal Financial aid office processes your files completely.
- There is a “cap” on the amount of financial aid a student may receive in one school year. Therefore, you may want to follow-up with the Financial Aid Office if you are unclear about the amounts.
Why does my financial aid show $0.00?
Financial Aid Issues
Possible reasons include. You:
- May be selected for verification and may be required to turn in additional documentation
- Answered “YES” to a dependency question on your FAFSA and the Federal Financial Aid office requires you to provide documentation to verify your answer.
- Have a FAFSA issue that the Federal Financial Aid office requires you resolve before you can receive federal financial aid, such as a defaulted student loan or a selective service issue.
- Have missing signature will cause your FAFSA to be incomplete.
- Require a correction before the Federal Financial Aid office can verify your application.
- Cancelled your awards through My Awards in MyOTC.
- Are possibly only eligible for unsubsidized loans based on your FAFSA information. If you wish to borrow a loan, go to Request A New Loan in the financial aid menu of MyOTC.
- Have not met Satisfactory Academic Progress standards.
FAFSA
How do I apply for federal financial aid?
How to Apply
- START EARLY and GET ORGANIZED.
- Apply for Admission and select a program of study that will lead to a Certificate, Associate of Applied Science or Associate of Arts degree.
- The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is your first step to apply for grants, loans and work-study. By completing the FAFSA you are applying for the Federal Pell Grant.
- The Federal Financial Aid office lines out everything you need to know to complete your FAFSA in 3 easy steps at http://www.studentaid.gov.
- Before you start, gather the documents you’ll need.
- Determine your dependency status to find out if the Federal Financial Aid offices requires your parents’ information.
- Apply for a FSA ID at https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/fafsa/filling-out/fsaid to sign the FAFSA on the Web electronically. If the Federal Financial Aid office requires you to provide parental information on the FAFSA, your parent must apply for his or her own PIN.
- Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
- To complete a FAFSA go to http://www.studentaid.gov ; OTC’s Federal School Code is 030830
- 2021 – 2022 FASFA is required for—FALL 2021 – SPRING 2022 – SUMMER 2022
- 2022 – 2023 FAFSA is required for—FALL 2022 – SPRING 2023 – SUMMER 2023
- Questions about filling out the FAFSA? Contact the Federal Student Aid Center 1-800-433-3243.
- Priority Deadlines: You may be eligible for state grants if you meet Missouri’s priority deadline of April 1st. However, you may still file a FAFSA if you missed the deadline. See OTC’s priority deadlines.
- Request your GED results or official high school transcripts and official transcripts from EACH college or university previously attended. Have them sent to Ozarks Technical Community College, 1001 E. Chestnut Expressway, Springfield, MO 65802 or faxed to 417.447.6925.
- The Current Top Eighteen Most Frequently Asked Questions about the FAFSA
I've done my FAFSA, what is my next step?
After FAFSA
1) After filing a FAFSA, you will receive results via a Student Aid Report from the Department of Education. The Student Aid Report (SAR) contains important information about what to do next. Read it thoroughly for accuracy and follow- up!
2) Avoid potential problems – go to www.studentaid.gov to follow-up and select options listed in column 3:
- Check status
- View and print your report
3) Check the comment section of your SAR for corrections you might have to fix.
- Make sure all signature requirements have been met
- Make corrections noted in comment section
- Plan to submit your financial documentation to the school if you are selected for verification
4) Check the status of your financial aid awards via your MyOTC student account. Select the Access OTC tab and then “Financial Aid Status by Term” to view awards.
5) The financial aid office communicates via OTC email with students regarding their financial aid file. Monitor your email on a regular basis for important communications from our office.
Why do I have to have my parents' information?
Parental information
- Until you are 24 years of age, FAFSA requires your parents’ information and signature on your FAFSA.
- Determine your dependency status by using the link in column one on the www.studentaid.gov website.
My parents won't give me their information? Now what do I do?
Lack of Parental Information
If you feel you have a special circumstance, please visit with a Financial Aid Advisor.
The following situations are not considered a special circumstance. Your parents:
- Do not want to provide their information on your FAFSA
- Refuse to contribute to your college expenses
- Do not claim you as a dependent on their taxes
- Or, you do not live with your parents.
Why is my estimated family contribution (EFC) different from the amount I have to pay?
Expected Family Contribution (EFC)
The Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is a measure of your family’s financial strength and is calculated according to a formula established by law. Your family’s taxed and untaxed income, assets, and benefits (such as unemployment or Social Security) are all considered in the formula. Also considered are your family size and the number of family members who will attend college during the year.
The information you report on your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or your FAFSA4caster is used to calculate your EFC. Schools use the EFC to determine your federal student aid eligibility and financial aid award.
Note: Your EFC is not the amount of money your family will have to pay for college nor is it the amount of federal student aid you will receive. It is a number used by your school to calculate the amount of federal student aid you are eligible to receive.
For more information about the EFC, see Funding Your Education: The Guide to Federal Student Aid
UNDERSTANDING HOW THE PELL GRANT WORKS
How do I get the Pell Grant
Pell Grant
- Apply for Admission and select a program of study that will lead to a Certificate, Associate of Applied Science or Associate of Arts degree.
- Fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to apply for grants, loans and work study. By completing the FAFSA you are applying for the Federal Pell Grant.
- The Pell Grant pays on a sliding scale based on the number of credit hours you are attending. For more information about how Pell pays, click here.
How do I check the status of my Award?
Award Status
- Avoid potential problems by double checking your Student Aid Report (SAR), which is sent to you after filling out a FAFSA. Read the comments and make corrections.
- Check your MyOTC account via your Financial Aid Status by Term in the Access OTC tab.
- Check your MyOTC student email often for communications from the Financial Aid Office.
- For more information, go to Understanding my Financial Aid Status.
- To see how enrollment effects your award, go to Hours Attending and Payment of Aid.
Why does my financial aid show $0.00?
Financial Aid Issues
Possible reasons include you:
- May be selected for verification and may be required to turn in additional documentation
- Answered “YES” to a dependency question on your FAFSA and the Federal Financial Aid office requires you to provide documentation to verify your answer
- Have a FAFSA issue that you must resolve before you can receive federal financial aid, such as a defaulted student loan or a selective service issue
- Have a missing signature will cause your FAFSA to be incomplete
- May require a correction before we can proceed
- Cancelled your awards with the Award Update Form
- You have not met Satisfactory Academic Progress standards.
How and when do I get my refund?
Refunds
- Student Account Services is responsible for the disbursement of funds to students.
- Direct questions regarding billing or refund disbursements to the Student Account Services Office at 447-4827 or cashhelp@otc.edu.
- You must have a Smart Card to receive a refund. This is mandatory for all students.
- For more information about delivery of refunds to students, see Financial Aid Refund Delivery.
Do I have to accept my award?
No, the Pell Grant will award at an Accepted status. However, for disbursement, you must meet all eligibility requirements and faculty must have verified attendance in your classes. If you do not wish to receive the award, you may choose to decline the award.
FAFSA VERIFICATION
What is verification, and why me?
Verification
- The Department of Education selects 1 of 3 random FAFSAs to be verified, or in other words audited, by the college’s Financial Aid Office.
- If Department of Education selects you, the process will require additional documentation to finalize your FAFSA.
- For more information, see FAFSA Verification Documents Required.
How do I know if I am selected for verification?
Verification Selection
- Read the comment section on your FASFA Student Aid Report (SAR). To do this, go to www.studentaid.gov and select “View and Print Your Student Aid Report (SAR)” located in column #3.
- The Financial Aid Office will also attempt to notify you via your MyOTC student email.
- Check your email often for communications from the Financial Aid Office.
How do I complete my file?
File Completion
- If you have been selected for verification, you may find more information about the verification process and the required worksheets on our website at FAFSA Verification.
- If you are under 24 years old and answered one of the ‘dependency questions’ yes, you must submit documentation to verify your answer. Follow-up with a Financial Aid Advisor.
I've turned in my paperwork. How long will it take to process?
Processing Time
- Verification must be complete in order to receive financial aid benefits. The process could take several weeks, so it is important to submit all completed paperwork as soon as possible.
- If you are under verification, you will not see awards on your student account until the verification process is complete.
I've submitted my financial information. How do I check my status?
Checking Your Status
- You may receive an updated Student Aid Report (SAR) from the Department of Education which indicates your verification is complete.
- Once you receive the SAR, allow 5-7 business days for awards to be updated on your MyOTC student account. Check the Student Access Menu and select “Financial Status by Term” to see if your awards are posted.
- If after 5-7 business days you continue to receive the notification, there may be an issue with your documents. Please email financialaid@otc.edu from your OTC email account, call 417-447-6900 or stop by student services to inquire about the issue.
I already submitted my verification documents! Why are you asking again?
Verification Documents
- If you had delivered, mailed or faxed us a document, the turn-around time to for it to reflect on your student records is approximately 5-7 business days. During this time, it is possible that you could receive another computer generated email indicating a document is still missing. If you turned in the document within the past 10-14 days, you can ignore the request.
- If after 5-7 business days you continue to receive the notification, there may be an issue with your documents. Please email financialaid@otc.edu from your OTC email account, call 417-447-6900 or stop by student services to inquire about the issue.
Has the Financial Aid Office received all my paperwork?
Tracking Your Paperwork
- We digitally image and track all documents you submit on our system. If you have submitted all paperwork, please know it can take up to 5-7 days for the Federal Financial Aid office to link your paperwork to your file. Because of this, you may receive additional requests for the information submitted within that 5-7 day time period.
- If after 5-7 business days you continue to receive the notification, there may be an issue with your documents. Please email financialaid@otc.edu from your OTC email account, call 417-447-6900 or stop by student services to inquire about the issue.
B-BLOCK (2nd 8 WKS) COURSEWORK & FINANCIAL AID
How do B-Block or 2nd 8 week courses affect Pell Grant funding?
Block Courses and Pell Grant Funding
Awards are originally posted for the maximum Pell grant funding available for the semester on a students AccessOTC-financial aid by term. This amount adjusts once attendance has been verified. This maximum Pell grant adjusts as follows according to the number of hours attending:
- 12 or more hours – 100% of maximum available
- 9-11 hours – 75% of maximum available
- 6-8 hours – 50% of maximum available
- 1-5 hours – 25% of maximum available (or less dependent upon FAFSA EFC)
A student enrolled in B-Block or 2nd 8 week coursework will receive additional Pell grant funding when B-Block attendance has been verified and adds enough hours to your full semester hours to move you to the next tier.
For example, a student eligible for a maximum Pell grant of $2775, who’s enrolled in six full semester hours and three B-Block hours will receive the following:
At first attendance census, student is attending six full semester hours and will receive 2775 (maximum) x 50% (see above) = 1388. At B-block attendance census, student is attending three additional hours for a total of nine hours and will receive 2775 (maximum) x 75% (see above) = 2082 – 1388 (amount already received) for an additional $694 for B-Block enrollment.
*Students statements, found at MyOTC-Quikpay, show the cost for both full semester & B-Block classes at enrollment. Therefore, your expense reflects the entire semester, but your financial aid pays after attendance is confirmed.
How do B-Block or 2nd 8 week courses affect loan funding?
Block Courses and Loan Funding
OTC students must enroll in or attend six or more hours during the fall or spring semesters and three in the summer semester to be eligible for student loan funding.
For example, students enrolled in four full semester hours and two B-Block hours will not be eligible for loan funding until their class attendance in six or more hours is confirmed. Therefore, students may not request loan funding until OTC confirms their B-Block attendance.
How do B-Block or 2nd 8 week courses affect A+ Funding?
Block Courses and A+ Funding
The A+ eligible student attendance requirement is twelve or more hours. Therefore, A+ will not pay enrollment for B-Block courses until after verification.
LOANS
Why is there a loan on my account if I did not apply for one?
Loans
With the new Direct Loan system, the Department of Education makes all students aware of their maximum subsidized loan eligibility automatically. However, they will equally disburse the amount you see in fall and spring ONLY IF you choose to complete the loan process and remain eligible. If you do not want a loan or want to reduce the loan amount, you may choose to decline your loan awards in MyOTC through My Awards.
Do you want a Loan?
-
YES – I want a loan
Now what do I do?
Go to http://studentaid.gov
Complete Required (Two Steps):
1) Entrance Counseling
2) Master Promissory Note (MPN)
Confirm that you completed both steps:
1) Log in at StudentLoans.gov
2) Click “View Completed MPN”
3) View Previously Completed Counseling
Accept your awards:
1) Log in to MyOTC and go to My Awards to accept your award amounts
2) Sign your Award Notification after accepting awards
-
YES BUT – I want to reduce my loans
Now what do I do?
1) Complete the loan process and
2) Go to My Awards in MyOTC, choose the term(s) and loan award you wish to reduce. Enter the new, lower amount and submit.
Once your request is processed:
Accept your awards:
1) Log in to MyOTC and go to My Awards to accept your award amounts
2) Sign your Award Notification after accepting awards
-
NO – I do not want a loan
Now what do I do?
Decline your loan awards:
1) Log in to MyOTC and go to My Awards to decline your award amounts
-
YES – Can I increase the amount?
Now what do I do?
Not the subsidized amount.
The Department of Education sets the amounts at the maximum automatically. However, the department may adjust financial aid awards (including loans, scholarships and some grants) once it completely processes financial aid files.
Request an unsubsidized loan.
If you wish to borrow additional loan funds or do not have a loan award showing:
1) You may request an unsubsidized loan through Request a New Loan in the financial aid menu in MyOTC.
There is a “cap” on the amount of financial aid a student may receive in one school year. Therefore, you may want to follow-up with the Financial Aid Office if you are unclear about the amounts.
How do I apply for a loan?
5 Easy Steps to Apply for a Direct Loan
Complete your FAFSA.
To complete a FAFSA, go to www.studentaid.gov .
OTC’s Federal School Code is 030830
Find the correct FAFSA academic year.
Complete the FAFSA.
You must enroll in a minimum number of hours to be eligible for loans.
- FALL – 6 credit hours
- SPRING – 6 credit hours
- SUMMER – 3 credit hours
Complete Student Loan Entrance Counseling
- Go to StudentAid.gov.
Complete your Master Promissory Note (MPN)
- Go to StudentAid.gov.
Confirm that you have completed the process
- You may confirm that the items are complete by logging in at studentaid.gov and clicking “View Completed MPN” and “View Previously Completed Counseling.”
Additional Questions? Go to Student Direct Loan Process
Can I increase my loan amount?
Loan Increases
If you have a subsidized loan award amount showing in My Awards in MyOTC – NO, you cannot increase this amount. The Department of Education sets the amounts at the maximum automatically. It may adjust financial aid awards (including loans, scholarships and some grants) once financial aid files are processed completely.
Request an unsubsidized loan.
If you wish to borrow additional loan funds or do not have a loan award showing:
- You may request an unsubsidized loan through Request a New Loan in the financial aid menu in MyOTC.
There is a “cap” on the amount of financial aid a student may receive in one school year. Therefore, you may want to follow-up with the Financial Aid Office if you are unclear about the amounts.
I didn't apply for a loan, but I received a Master Promissory Note from Direct Loans in the mail that looks like I am required to sign it. Now what do I do?
Maximum Loan Eligibility
With the new Direct Loan system, all students will be made aware of their maximum loan eligibility automatically. The Department of Education equally disburses the amount you see in fall and spring ONLY IF you choose to complete the loan process. However, if you DO NOT want the loans or want to REDUCE the amount, go to My Awards in MyOTC to accept, reduce or cancel. Students may reduce or cancel their subsidized loan in My Awards.
If you have requested an unsubsidized loan through Request A New Loan, you may reduce or cancel in My Awards, also.
Do not complete online Entrance Counseling and do not sign the Master Promissory Note if you do not wish to borrow loans. The Department of Education never funds the loans unless the student decides to complete the process at a later time.
Do I have to accept my award?
If you want the loan to disburse, you must accept the award. You may choose to decrease and accept, or accept the whole award amount. Remember, you meet all eligibility requirements, must be attending the minimum credit hours and have the Entrance Counseling and MPN completed.
If you do not want to borrow loans, you may choose to decline the award.
BOOKS AND DISBURSEMENTS
How will I pay for books?
Paying for Books
- Any student who registers for My Payment Plan may charge his/her books at the OTC Bookstore.
When will my financial aid be disbursed?
Federal Direct Student Loans – Multiple Disbursements
The Federal Direct Loan disbursements must be made in two equal installments as follows:
- Fall/spring – one during fall and one during spring
- Spring only – two during spring (one occurring after mid-semester)
- Summer only – two during summer (one occurring after mid-semester)
For financial aid refund dates, please contact the Student Account Services Office at 447-4827, or email cashhelp@otc.edu from your OTC webmail. Refund information can be found on the web at: Financial Aid Refunds.
WHAT IF I DROP A CLASS OR WITHDRAW?
If I drop or withdraw from classes, how will financial aid be effected?
Dropping Classes and Financial Aid
- Dropping or withdrawing from classes can put your current and/or future financial aid at risk.
Students must meet Satisfactory Academic Progress standards to be eligible for financial aid. Many student do not realize dropping classes can put them on Financial Aid Warning or Financial Aid Probation.
Students must complete two-thirds (67%) of their total hours attempted at OTC.
YOU CAN CALCULATE your current and projected completion ratio by viewing your transcripts through your Access OTC.
Formula: Total hours completed at OTC DIVIDED BY total hours attempted* at OTC
Completed hours = Courses completed with a passing grade
Attempted hours = All hours that you are enrolled in on the first day of classes of ALL semesters you have enrolled at OTC.
PLEASE NOTE: Withdrawals, drops and incompletes count when figuring the total hours attempted at OTC.
- OTC will count credit hours transferred in from other colleges and universities in the total credit hours attempted when counting the credit hours toward the maximum time frame (see SAP policy).
- All enrolled credit hours on the first day of the semester will count as attempted hours regardless of changes made to your schedule (i.e. adding, dropping, switching). This may affect your financial aid depending on the type of aid you are to receive, how many hours you drop and your SAP status.
IF YOU DROP ALL YOUR CLASSES:
- You may have to pay back financial aid if you completely drop all classes. The amount is unknown until a recalculation of earned funds is complete.
- OTC may place you on Financial Aid Warning or Financial Aid Probation if your completion ratio falls below 67%. It’s possible that you could be considered “Over The Maximum Time Frame” if you exceed the maximum number of allowed hours toward a degree.
- OTC sends appeal forms by email after grades post at the end of the semester when GPA and completion ratio are calculated.
- If you wish to drop all of your classes, contact Student Services to complete an Official Withdrawal Form. More information is available on how to withdraw if you click on Records & Registration.
ARE THERE DEADLINES FOR FINANCIAL AID?
When is the last day to submit the FAFSA, turn in required documents, apply for scholarship or loans?
There are early action dates and deadlines for financial aid processing. Visit Important Dates & Deadlines to see all dates.
FINANCIAL AID REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Why did I receive an email from Financial Aid declining the form I submitted?
Upon review of the information, the Financial Aid Office determined more information was needed before we could accept your form. The Financial Aid Office has emailed your OTC account with the additional steps needed to complete the form.