Applying for Financial Aid
Applying for Financial Aid
Although the primary responsibility for meeting college cost rests with students and their families, Umpqua Community College recognizes that many individuals cannot assume the full financial burden of the costs of a college education. For this reason, financial aid is available to bridge the gap between the costs of education and the student's financial resources.
Students interested in financial aid are encouraged to contact the Financial Aid Office located in the Campus Center Building. The office is ready to help students apply for grants, loans and part-time jobs.
Office Hours
The Financial Aid Office is located in the Campus Center Building. Regular public service hours are: Mon & Wed-Fri: 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Tues: 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., throughout the academic year, except for official college holidays. Summer hours are: Mon - Fri: 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Please check the academic calendar for campus closure dates and extended hours during first week of each term. Students may contact our office by phone at (541) 440-4602.
Disability Related Accommodations
Disability related accommodations for Financial Aid are available upon request. Ask for assistance at the Financial Aid Office or call Disability Services, (541) 440-7655.
Eligibility Criteria
Generally, to qualify for financial aid students must:
- be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen,
- have a high school diploma or GED certificate,
- be enrolled in an eligible degree or certificate program at UCC,
- register with the Selective Service, if required,
- maintain satisfactory academic progress as noted in the requirements outlined below,
- not be in default or owing a refund to any Title IV financial aid program (financial aid transcript required from any post-secondary school you attended previously).
- demonstrate a need for financial help by completing the application and providing any information requested to verify the accuracy of the application.
- Note: Students may be ineligible for federal financial aid if convicted of any offense involving the possession or sale of a controlled substance.
FAFSA Application Procedure
Application forms may be submitted as early as January of the year preceding enrollment in classes. The application process takes time and careful attention to each detail. Applications are processed in the order that applications are complete at the Financial Aid Office after submission to a processor. Applications are accepted throughout the year. However, it should be noted that the amount of financial aid offered depends on the student's financial need and the availability of funds. A new application must be filed for each school year. Applying prior to February 1st is recommended.
The application may be filed using the internet at FAFSA on the Web. It is important to use the correct application form. The only acceptable form at UCC is the FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID (FAFSA). If applying at more than one college, it is important that you contact each college to assure that you are using the correct form. Carefully read the instructions on the form. Be sure to complete the entire form before sending it to the designated processor. If there is a problem in completing the form, ask for help from the Financial Aid Office.
Students will receive an e-mail regarding additional forms in the mail that will be required to complete the application process. Be sure to respond quickly and accurately to assure the best funding opportunities. Applying for financial aid is a time-consuming and complicated process, please allow 6-8 weeks for processing once you have turned in all requested documents.
What is UCC's School Code?
Umpqua Community College's School Code, required for completing the FREE Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), is 003222.
Receiving Funds
The amount of money a student receives from financial aid depends on several factors:
- Financial need - Financial need is the difference between the cost of attending college and the student's resources. Costs include tuition, fees, books, standardized living expenses, transportation costs, personal expenses, and special costs such as child care and special expenses related to disabilities. Copies of standard student budgets which reflect estimated costs of attendance can be obtained from the Financial Aid Office.
- Resources - Resources include the money the student is expected to contribute from savings, wages, and other income as well as the parent's contribution if the student is dependent. Available resources are determined through the federal need analysis formulas which are based on the information submitted with the application.
- Date of Application - The date of application and availability of funds determines what can be offered to assist each student. Applying prior to March 1st is recommended.
- Enrollment Status - The amount of funding varies with the number of credits that the student takes in classes. Students may enroll full time, 12 credits or more per term; three quarter time, 9 to 11 credits per term; half time, 6 to 8 credits per term; or less than half time, 5 credits or less.
Notification Procedure
An offer of financial aid is e-mailed to each eligible student. Offer Letters must be signed and returned or Web accepted by the due date noted on them or aid is canceled. Revisions to original Offer Letters may be sent to some students via e-mail in response to changes. Ineligible students are also notified with a letter.
Payment Procedure
Awarded funds are issued on a term by term basis. Awarded students tuition and fees will be held until financial aid disbursement is made. Financial aid balances are direct deposited or mailed at the end of the second week of the term and will continue throughout the term as additional disbursements are made.
Refunds or Repayments of Financial Aid Funds
If a student withdraws from classes while receiving financial aid, the terms of the Refund and Repayment Policy apply. To download the Federal Financial Aid Refund and Repayment Policy in .PDF format click here. Details regarding new federal refund regulations for Title IV student recipients will be available from the UCC Business Office and Financial Aid Office. Student aid recipients who are considering withdrawal from a class or all classes should contact the Financial Aid Office.
Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
UCC is required by federal and state regulations to define standards of satisfactory progress that students must maintain in order to continue to receive financial aid. Satisfactory Progress is monitored each term. 
You may download Satisfactory Academic Progress for Financial Aid Recipients document in *.pdf format or stop by UCC's Financial Aid Office during regular office hours.
Students who fail to meet the requirements of Satisfactory Academic Progress will be granted probationary status for one term. Failure to meet the standards at the end of the probationary term results in suspension from eligibility to receive financial aid funds.
Students may appeal a Satisfactory Academic Progress suspension. An appeal requires written documentation explaining why the student was not able to meet the standards. Also, the student must provide a written plan which is thoughtfully constructed to produce improved academic performance. The Financial Aid Advisory Committee reviews the appeals and the decision is final.
Student Records
Umpqua Community College complies with all state and federal requirements regarding the confidentiality of student records. In general, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1968 prohibits us from releasing information to anyone other than the identified student without the written release of that student. Questions regarding financial aid may be directed to Michelle Bergmann, Director of Financial Aid.
