Randolph Community College students will have to pay a little more in tuition this fall, but the College has several options for students with financial need, including grants, scholarships, and payment plans. RCC's Office of Financial Aid and Veterans Affairs has geared up to serve a record number of students this fall, according to Chad Williams, financial aid director.
The North Carolina General Assembly approved a community college curriculum rate increase of $6.50 per semester hour for in-state residents and $7.20 per semester hour for out-of-state residents with the 2010-11 budget bill. That's an increase of $104 per semester for full-time in-state community college students. But community colleges remain a cost-effective alternative. According to recent news reports, students at UNCG and N.C. A&T will pay nearly $500 more in tuition for the 2010-11 school year, and students at UNC-Chapel Hill and North Carolina State will pay $750 more.
"Some people don’t realize just what a bargain community colleges are," said Williams, relating a story of a student who was recently awarded a financial aid package that paid for her tuition, fees, and books at RCC and included a disbursement check for other financial needs. Williams said the student's sibling had qualified for the same amount of financial aid at a university, but had to take out a loan to meet the additional costs to attend. The students' parents were amazed at the difference, said Williams.
RCC has received over 66% of the total number of FAFSA's (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) to date for the 2010-11 academic year compared to last year, 97% of the applications received two years ago, and 124% of the applications received three years ago, according to Williams. Pell Grant recipients are also increasing, said Williams. RCC had a 54% increase in Pell Grant recipients in 2009-10 from 2008-09 and an 84% increase over 2007-08.
A Federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, does not have to be repaid. Students who are North Carolina residents may also be eligible for additional grant programs in which, like the Pell Grant, eligibility is determined when a student completes the FAFSA. The maximum Pell Grant award for the 2010-11 award year (July 1, 2010 to June 30, 2011) is $5,550. The amount a student may receive, though, will depend not only on their financial need, but also on factors such as their status as a full-time or part-time student, and their plans to attend school for a full academic year or less. Pell and State Grants are awarded to undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor's or a professional degree.
One change in Pell Grants that was implemented this past year is a year-round Pell Policy, according to Williams. "This Policy will provide students with the opportunity to receive twice the amount of Pell Grant funding for which they would have been eligible previously," he said. "In previous years, for example, if a student attended full time during the fall semester and then full time during the spring semester, there would be no financial aid remaining to cover the costs to attend summer. Now, as long as students meet the additional requirements, they will be able to receive funding to help pay for the summer semester." Williams said the real benefit for students is that they will be able to accelerate through to graduation from their program at a faster rate.
Students who have applied to start classes at RCC this fall and need financial aid should have already filled out their FAFSA, or should do so immediately, said Williams. "The financial aid process takes weeks," he noted, "and a student has to be fully admitted to the College in order for us to award financial aid." To be fully admitted, a student must have completed an admissions application, taken placement testing or submitted eligible SAT/ACT scores, and the College must have received the student's official transcripts from high school, GED institution, and/or other colleges attended.
However, the Office of Financial Aid and Veterans Affairs will continue to process files up until the date of registration "in hopes of getting everyone who wants to enroll at RCC the assistance they are eligible for," said Williams. Students who do not receive their financial aid award in time for registration have the option of paying their tuition through the FACTS Tuition Management plan and would be reimbursed if and when their financial aid is approved. The tuition management plan allows students to arrange for monthly payments to cover tuition, fees, and books for a nonrefundable enrollment fee of $25 per semester.
For more information on the applications process or financial aid at Randolph Community College, go to www.randolph.edu and choose the How to Apply and Financial Aid/VA Quick Links at the bottom of the page. Fall classes begin Monday, Aug. 16.
