Disbursement of Financial Aid/Refunds

The main award year consists of two semesters (Fall and Winter) for a total of 31 weeks. Awards are credited to student accounts at the beginning of each semester and are based on full-time status (12 credits or more). Awards will be adjusted for students attending less than full-time based on their actual semester enrollment. Students must be enrolled at least half-time (six credits) to receive most kinds of financial aid.

Students whose total financial aid is greater than the charges owed to the school will receive a refund for the overage. Refunds for for all borrowers at CCS will be processed the week before each semester is set to begin. If your financial aid funds and/or supplemental loans are in excess tuition and housing charges owed to CCS, the Cashier’s office will issue a refund check to you for the overage. It is important to remember that financial aid is disbursed on a per semester basis, so if you have taken out an additional $5000 for the year, you will receive $2500 during the fall semester, and $2500 during the winter semester. Refund checks are printed in the Cashier’s office every Friday. You may also set up Direct Deposit for your refund through the Business Office.

ALL STUDENTS entitled to a refund should expect the refund within first the 1-2 weeks of the start of the semester.

Financial Aid Eligibility Requirements for Undergraduate Students

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR NEED-BASED FINANCIAL AID

Eligibility for need-based financial aid is determined by an analysis of family resources calculated by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). To receive need-based financial assistance from the College, students must:

  • Demonstrate financial need
  • Be accepted for enrollment in a degree program
  • Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress
  • Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen
  • Be enrolled in a minimum of six credit hours (for Direct Loans)
  • Be registered with Selective Service (or be exempt)
  • Have obtained a high school diploma or equivalent
  • Not owe a refund on previous Title IV funds received or be in default on any federal student loan

For more information, visit www.studentaid.gov

CCS also awards scholarships based on merit. Students may qualify for these scholarships based on the strength of their admission composite score (portfolio, GPA and test scores) at the time of admittance to the College. No additional application is required for these scholarships.

Students receiving tuition assistance from their employers will have their tuition scholarship reduced accordingly.

Duration of Eligibility for Undergraduate Students

Full-time students may receive financial aid for a maximum of six years (12 semesters) of full-time awards. Half-time students are eligible for a maximum of 12 years (24 semesters) of half-time awards. Some federal and state awards may have a lower maximum number of years for both full-time and part-time enrollment. Contact the Office of Financial Aid for more information.