Frequently Asked Questions

Yes! We are required to modify your Financial Aid at any time during the award year if one of the following situations occurs:

• You do not maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress.
• You change your grade status from freshman to sophomore, program of study, or credits you are currently attempting.
• You receive additional monies from sources not listed on your Financial Aid Award letter such as private scholarships, vocational rehabilitation assistance, veteran benefits, tuition waivers, employee tuition assistance, etc.
• You previously submitted inaccurate, incomplete or conflicting information.

When your Financial Aid Award is revised, you are sent a revised award letter. Therefore, always read your most recent award letter to confirm your Financial Aid Award for the academic year.

All accounts are due in full unless these accounts are paid in full by financial aid and/or scholarships.

Not enough to cover your bill? A $15.00 Deferred Payment Fee is added to all accounts not paid in full by the start of the semester.

FVCC’s Payment Plan is available to assist you with paying your bill by offering a monthly payment plan.  Don't forget to check the refund dates for dropping courses. For more information, contact Business Services.

If your Financial Aid Award is greater than your bill for tuition and fees, you may be allowed to charge your books providing it does not exceed the amount of the aid refund.

To purchase your books, complete a textbook reservation in the campus bookstore located in Blake Hall/Student Center Administration Building Room BH/SCA 164.

Financial aid awards are generally paid to your bill two weeks after your first day of class each term.

Refund Checks

• You will be mailed a refund check within 14 days from the date your financial aid award is paid to your bill if your award is greater than your bill.
• The mailing of refund checks will start around the 4th week of the term. This refund is to be used for other educationally related expenses.
• Refund checks cannot be picked up in person.

You are encouraged to meet with your professors and academic advisors, utilize tutorial services, and speak with the Financial Aid Staff before withdrawing from FVCC. This is important because your withdrawal may affect your eligibility for financial aid and could result in you having to repay all or a portion of your financial aid award to FVCC or the Department of Education.

If you officially or unofficially withdraw (stop attending) prior to completing 60% of the term, the aid you received will be recalculated based on the Return of Title IV Funds formula.

The student’s withdrawal date, in calendar days, is used to determine the percentage of the semester that the student completed. This percentage is used to determine the “earned” aid that a student is eligible to retain. The student will be responsible for any “unearned” aid that must be returned. Examples of this calculation can be provided by the financial aid office.

Yes! We are required to confirm that you are passing all of your courses and progressing toward your program of study at FVCC. This is called Satisfactory Academic Progress. If you do not maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress, you risk losing your Financial Aid Award.

• You must maintain a 2.0 cumulative GPA and
• Complete at least 67% of your attempted hours to remain in good standing.

The following Web sites are outside sources for help:

• Student Assistance Foundation
  
  
• Smart About College
  
  
• Montana Guarantee Student Loan Program
  
  
• Department of Education
  
  
• Types of Scholarships
  
  
• Scholarship Essay Help