FINANCIAL AID PROGRAMS

Forms and Applications

Itawamba Community College believes that no qualified student should be denied an education because of financial need. Therefore, through a program of scholarships, grants, loans, and campus employment, Itawamba Community College provides a comprehensive plan to assist students who establish a definite need.

Application…  All applicants for student aid of any type must have applied for admission at Itawamba Community College. All applications and information may be secured from: 

Director of Financial Aid
Itawamba Community College
602 W. Hill Street
Fulton, MS 38843

The various types of financial aid and application procedures are listed in the Itawamba Community College Catalog and Itawamba Community College Student Guide.

The official financial aid award year begins July 1; therefore, students are encouraged to begin their application process as soon as possible, preferably February, March, or April. Priority deadline for Federal College Work-Study, Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant, and Leveraging Educational Assistance Program (formerly SSIG) is April 30.

If a student is interested in study abroad, he/she may be eligible for financial aid if the Dean of Academic Instruction of Itawamba Community College approves the study abroad credit.

Federal Programs

Eligibility is determined by the EFC number calculated as a result of the student completing and submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Generally, Pell Grant is automatically awarded to all students with an EFC of less than $4111. The EFC number and enrollment status determine the amount of eligibility for Pell Grants.

SEOG funds are generally awarded first to students with a 0 EFC and the greatest need. Criteria include, but are not limited to, no other scholarships, residence hall, living off campus not with parents, single parent, and/or out-of-state fees, along with individual unique student situations. LEAP recipients must be full time students and funds are awarded based on need, determined by EFC and other financial aid available and cost of attendance, and Mississippi residence.

• Pell Grant - A need-based program, 100 percent federally funded. Grants range from $400 to $4,310 per academic year (August-May). No repayment required.
• Academic Competitiveness Grant - An Academic Competitiveness Grant will provide up to $750 for the first year of undergraduate study and up to $1,300 for the second year of undergraduate study to full-time students who are U.S. citizens, eligible for a Federal Pell Grant, and who had successfully completed a rigorous high school program, as determined by the state or local education agency and recognized by the Secretary of Education.  Second year students must also have maintained a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0.  The program will be available for the first time for the 2006-2007 school year for first year students who graduated from high school after January 1, 2006 and for second year students who graduated from high school after January 1, 2005.  The Academic Competitiveness Grant award is in addition to the student's Pell Grant award.
• College Work-Study Program (CWSP) - A need-based program, 75 percent federally funded and 25 percent institutionally funded. Student may work part-time during the school year and full-time during the summer. Most positions are on campus, either Fulton or Tupelo. Approximately 250 students share some $250,000 each year.
• Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant - A need-based program, 75 percent federally funded and 25 percent institutionally funded. Provides funds to students with an exceptional financial need. No re-payment required. Approximately 250 students share some $110,000 each year. Grant amounts average approximately $200 per semester. 
• Leveraging Educational Assistance Program (Formerly SSIG) - A need-based program, federally and state-funded. Available to Mississippi residents. Provides funds to students with an exceptional financial need. No repayment required. Approximately 30 students share some $18,000 each year. Grant amounts average approximately $200 per semester.
• Subsidized Stafford Loan Program - A student may borrow from a lender (bank, savings and loan, credit union, or other eligible lender) interest free while enrolled in school. The federal government will guarantee repayment. Repayment and variable interest no greater than 8.25% begins 6 months after completion of education or withdrawal from college.  Eligibility is determined based on need.
• Unsubsidized Stafford Loan Program - The unsubsidized federal Stafford Loan Program is specifically intended for those student borrowers who do not qualify for federal interest benefits. The unsubsidized loan program is designed to help students from middle income families obtain post-secondary education. There is interest on these loans while the student is enrolled in school.  Loan limits are $3500 for freshmen and $4500 for sophomores per year at ICC. Independent students could borrow an additional $4000 per academic year. (Effective January 1, 2007)
• Plus Loan - A parent of a dependent student may borrow from a lender the published cost of the educational  program minus any financial aid the student may receive. Repayment begins 60 days after the loan is received at an interest rate not to exceed 9 percent.
• Teach Grant - This program is effective beginning with the 2008-2009 award year and provides up to $4,000 per year in grant assistance to students who plan on becoming a teacher and meet certain specified requirements.  If a student who receives the TEACH Grant does not complete the required teaching, the grant must be repaid as a Direct Unsubsidized Loan under the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program.

State Student Financial Aid Programs for eligible undergraduates:

For more information and applications for the following State Programs, contact Mississippi Student Financial Aid, 3825 Ridgewood Road, Jackson, MS 39211-6453, call 1-800-327-2980, or visit Mississippi's Institutions of Higher Learning website (http://www.ihl.state.ms.us/financialaid/complete.html)

The Higher Education Legislative Plan for Needy Students (HELP) provides full tuition to all qualified, college-bound Mississippi residents who apply and enroll full-time at any state public and nonprofit two-year or four-year eligible college or university to pursue a first baccalaureate or first associate undergraduate degree.

The Mississippi Eminent Scholars Grant (MESG) offers up to $2,500 per year to Mississippi residents who are first-time freshmen attending state approved public and nonprofit two-year or four-year eligible colleges and universities.

The Mississippi Resident Tuition Assistance Grant (MTAG) offers up to $500 per year to Mississippi residents attending state-approved public and nonprofit two-year colleges.

The Critical Needs Teacher Loan/Scholarship Program (CNTP) provides tuition, room and meals, books and required fees at the college or university in which the student is enrolled, not to exceed an amount equal to the total cost of tuition, room and meals, books and required fees assessed by a state public two-year or four-year institution of higher learning during that school year.

The William Winter Teacher Scholar Loan Program (WWTS) offers Mississippi residents who are enrolled full-time in an undergraduate teacher education program leading to a Class "A" standard teacher educator license up to $1,000 per academic year as freshman and sophomores while juniors and seniors may receive $3,000 per academic year.

Additional Aid - Students should inquire at the Student Services office, Tupelo, for information on the Job Training Placement Act which is an additional source of financial aid.

Veterans Benefits

VA Toll-Free Telephone Number - 1-888-GI BILL 1 (1-888-442-4551)
VA e-mail - atlrpo@vba.va.gov
VA Web site - http://www.va.gov/

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides educational benefits under the Montgomery G.I. Bill - Active Duty Educational Assistance Program (Chapter 30). The Montgomery G.I. Bill - Selected Reserve (Chapter 106 and Post-Vietnam Era Veteran's Educational Assistance Program, VEAP).

Chapter 30 and VEAP - Complete VA Form 22-1990 (application for Education Benefits), present it to the Veterans Office at ICC and provide a copy of your DD214. With the VA counselor at ICC, complete VA Form 22-1999 (Enrollment Certification). Students who drop or add a class or change a major should report this information to the VA Office at ICC.

Chapter 1606 - Each eligible person who entered the National Guard or Military Reserve after July 1, 1985, and elected educational benefits will be entitled to educational benefits after completing the following:

1. Obtain DD Form 2384 - Selected Reserve Educational Assistance Program of Notice of basis eligibility from the unit.
2. Complete VA Form 22-1990 - Application for Educational Benefits.
3. Present both forms to the VA Office at ICC.

Survivors and Dependents Educational Assistance Programs

Chapter 35 - This program provides financial aid for the education of dependent sons, daughters, and spouse of:

1. 100 percent disabled veterans.
2. Veterans who died from any service-connected mishap.
3. Service persons missing in action or captured in the line of duty.

To qualify, students should contact the VA Office of Itawamba Community College.

Vocational Rehabilitation from VA - The VA determines the eligibility of service people that need vocational rehabilitation to overcome an impairment to their ability to prepare for employment. Contact the local VA Office or the Financial Aid Office of Itawamba Community College.

Vocational Rehabilitation 

Students above the age of 16 with a qualifying mental or physical handicap may obtain corrective treatment, braces, prostheses, guidance and counseling services, plus costs of tuition, books, and supplies if they qualify for Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services. Interested students should contact the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services for further information.

Mississippi National Guard and Army National Guard Federal Tuition Assistance

Apply online at http://www.ngms.state.ms.us/edu/ . 

Army Reserve Tuition Assistance and Benefits

http://www.goarmy.com/reserve/nps/education.jsp
Army and Army Career Center - 662.842.4125

Army Education Benefits

http://www.goarmy.com/benefits/eduation.jsp
Army and Army Career Center - 662.842.4125