Wytheville Community College - Prospective Students

Federal PELL

The Pell Grant is a federal grant entitlement program, which means that the federal government will pay all applicants who meet all program eligibility criteria. In some cases, an eligible student may receive a Pell Grant if enrolled for less than 6 credits.

Academic Competitiveness Grant

Beginning in 2008-09, qualifying students who have completed a rigorous secondary school program and are eligible for federal Pell grants may be eligible to receive additional funds from the Academic Competitiveness Grant Program. Eligible recipients may receive up to $750 for the first year of study and up to $1,300 for the second academic year of study.

Criteria for the ACG Grant

Be a U.S. citizen;
Submit a FAFSA (www.fafsa.ed.gov) and qualify for the Federal Pell Grant
Be enrolled in at least 12 credits each semester in a degree program;
Be enrolled in the first or second academic year of your program of study;
Graduated from high school after January 1, 2008 if you are a first-year student, or graduated from high school after January 1, 2007 if you are a second-year student;
If you’re a first-year student, you cannot have been previously enrolled in an undergraduate program (excluding dual enrollment and tech prep credits); and
If you’re a second-year student, you must have at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA (on a 4.0 scale) during your first academic year
Have completed a rigorous high school program of study (defined as meeting one of the three criterion below):

You have a Virginia Advanced Diploma OR
You completed all of the following requirements in high school:

4 years of English
3 years of Math (Algebra 1 and above)
3 years of Science (at least 2 biology, chemistry, or physics courses)
3 years of Social Science
1 year of a Foreign Language
All of these courses must be completed with passing grades OR

You have completed at least 2 Advanced Placement courses with an AP exam score of 3 or higher OR you have completed at least 2 International Baccalaureate courses with an IB exam score of 4 or higher

If you meet all of the criteria listed above then request an OFFICIAL copy of your high school transcript. It must be mailed to the Financial Aid Office at the following address:

Financial Aid Office
Wytheville Community College
1000 East Main Street
Wytheville, Va. 24382
Re: ACG Grant

Federal SEOG

The Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG) is a federal grant program that is awarded to the "most needy" students. Preference is given to Pell Grant recipients and students with a low family contribution. Students must be enrolled in at least 3 credits to receive SEOG.

Federal Work-Study Program

The Federal Work-Study Program (FWS) is an award from federal and state funds that allows a student to earn money to meet educational expenses. A student must have a financial need to be awarded work-study. A work-study award does not guarantee a job, as the placement of a student into a job will be based upon the available jobs and the student's qualifications to meet the requirements for these available jobs. Work-study employees are usually assigned an average of 18 hours of work per week, and determine with their supervisors a mutually agreeable work schedule. The current wage rate is $7.50 an hour. New employees will have a work-study orientation session explaining the student's rights and responsibilities as well as payment procedures. All new work-study employees will need to complete an Employment Eligibility Verification Form and provide their driver's license and social security card or other acceptable identification before they may begin working. Students must be enrolled for at least 9 credits hours a semester.

CSAP

The College Scholarship Assistance Program (CSAP) Grant is a state grant program. Preference is given to students with exceptional need. Recipients must be domiciled in Virginia. Students must be enrolled for at least 6 credits hours a semester.

COMA Grant

The Commonwealth Award (COMA) Grant is a state grant to be used for tuition only. Students must be enrolled for at least 6 credits hours a semester.

VGAP Grant

The VGAP Grant is state-funded program. In order to be considered a student must be: a first-time freshman, a dependent, a high school graduate with a high school GPA of at least a 2.5, a Virginia resident, demonstrate financial need, and meet the May 1 filing requirement. Recipients must be enrolled as a full-time student to qualify. Students who drop below full-time will lose their VGAP award.

PTAP Grant

The Part-time Tuition Assistance Program Grant is a state grant program. These grants are based on need and are awarded to eligible students who are enrolled for 1 to 8 credits a semester. These grant awards are for the tuition amount only.

Stafford Loans

All Stafford Loans are either subsidized (the government pays the interest while you're in school) or unsubsidized (you pay all the interest, although you can have the payments deferred until after graduation). To receive a subsidized Stafford Loan, you must be able to demonstrate financial need.

With the unsubsidized Stafford loan, you can defer the payments until after graduation by capitalizing the interest. This adds the interest payments to the loan balance, increasing the size and cost of the loan.

Stafford Loans allow dependent undergraduates to borrow up to $3,500 their freshman year, $4,500 their sophomore year. Independent students may request an additional unsubsidized loan up to $4,000 the first two years.

Direct loan funds are subject to a 1.5% origination fee that is deducted before the loan is applied to the students account. For example, if a freshman student borrows $3500, $52.50 (1.5% of $3500) is deducted, so the student would have $1723.75 to apply to fall and $1723.75 to apply for spring.

Students must be enrolled for at least 6 credit hours a semester. Students may not be in default on any previous student loans. Students whose aid has been terminated at any point for failure to meet SAP will not be considered for a student loan. Students who have lost their eligibility because they have reached the 150% limit of financial aid will not be eligible for student loans. Because WCC participates in the Direct Loan Program, we do not accept outside loans from lenders such as Salliemae, etc.

Federal Student Loans

A loan is a form of financial aid that must be repaid, with interest (although the federal government will pay the interest on subsidized loans while you are in school). The Federal education loan programs offer lower interest rates and more flexible repayment plans than most consumer loans, making them an attractive way to finance your education. Education loans come in two major categories: student loans and parent loans. The WCC Financial Aid Office will make the determining decision on loan eligibility. Student loans are intended only for educational expenses.