Financial Aid 

The Financial Aid Office at UCC is committed to helping students obtain funding for their education. While the primary responsibility for covering college costs lies with students and their families, UCC understands that many students need assistance with the financial burden of a college education. Financial aid is available to help bridge the gap between educational costs and student resources.

Students interested in financial aid are encouraged to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online as soon as it opens on October 1 or later to be considered for the optimal aid offer. Go to FAFSA.gov to complete the application. UCC’s federal school code is 003222.

For more financial aid information, visit: umpqua.edu/become-a-student/financial-aid.

Undocumented Oregon residents may submit the ORSAA instead of the FAFSA to apply for state aid, provided the deadline has not passed.

Eligibility Criteria

Students who meet the following eligibility criteria will be offered some form of financial aid:

• Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen. 
• Must have a high school diploma, GED or have completed a high school education in a home-school setting approved under state law
• Be admitted and enrolled in an eligible program of study at UCC
• Students are not eligible for financial aid while still in high school, in a home-school program, or if they are not completing a GED during the enrolled term

Notification Procedure

Once UCC’s Financial Aid Office receives the FAFSA application, a Welcome Letter is sent to the applicant’s personal email with further instructions. After processing each student’s file, a financial aid offer will be sent to the student’s UCC email. Financial aid offers should be viewed and accepted through the Financial Aid portal on MyUCC, within the time frame specified in the offer notification.

Disbursement Procedure

The Financial Aid Office locks a student’s enrollment on Monday by 8:30 a.m. of the second week of the term as determined by the number of credits at that time. Funds are then disbursed to the UCC Student Accounts Office based on the enrolled credits. A student does not need to be full-time to receive financial aid, as many funds are prorated based on the number of credits enrolled. For example, Pell Grant disbursements are based on the percentage of enrolled credits, rather than the traditional full-time, three-quarter-time, half-time, or less-than-half-time categories.

On the third Monday of each term (except summer term), any financial aid in excess of institutional charges will be made available through one of two options:

• Direct deposit (set up through Student Accounts in the Accounting and Finance department)
• US Postal Service

Disbursements will continue every Monday throughout the term.

Due to rising student loan defaults, UCC recommends that students view an online Financial Aid Literacy Seminar at: umpqua.edu/become-a-student/financial-aid/financial-wellness.

Repayments of Federal Funds

If a student withdraws from all courses while receiving financial aid, the Return of Title IV (R2T4) Policy applies. Federal funds must be recalculated if a student stops attending all classes, withdraws before completing 60.1% of the term, or receives all F grades. In these cases, some federal aid may be unearned and must be repaid. Students considering a withdrawal are strongly encouraged to contact the Financial Aid Office for guidance.

Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy (SAP)

UCC is required by federal and state regulations to monitor Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) for financial aid. Students must meet these standards to continue receiving aid. Financial Aid SAP is separate from Academic Performance, and students must meet both. SAP is reviewed at the end of each term. 
Requirements are available at: umpqua.edu/become-a-student/financial-aid/sap-policy.

Appeals to the Standards for Satisfactory Academic Progress

Students on financial aid suspension may submit an appeal with a written explanation, supporting documentation, and a Student Educational Plan (SEP) completed with an advisor. Appeals are reviewed by a Financial Aid Official. If denied, students may submit a final written appeal to the Financial Aid Advisory Committee.

Types of Financial Aid Available

The four types of financial aid are grants, scholarships, work-study, and loans. Many students may qualify for more than one type. Grants and scholarships are gift aid, while work-study and loans are self-help aid.

Federal Pell Grant

Federal Pell Grants are for undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need and have not earned a bachelor’s, graduate, or professional degree. Eligibility is determined by submitting the FAFSA, which calculates your financial need.

Please note that lifetime eligibility is capped at six years or 600%.

For more information about eligibility and application requirements, please visit: studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/grants/pell.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)

The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) is a need-based federal grant for undergraduate students with exceptional financial need. These limited, campus-based funds are administered directly by the school’s Financial Aid Office and are offered to students who are Pell Grant eligible.

For more information about eligibility and application requirements, please visit: studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/grants/fseog.

Oregon Opportunity Grant (OOG)

The Oregon Opportunity Grant (OOG) is Oregon’s largest state-funded, need-based grant program for college students. It is available to Oregon residents of all ages who are pursuing their first associates degree or bachelor’s degree at an eligible public or private institution.

For more information about eligibility and application requirements, please visit: oregonstudentaid.gov/grants/oregon-opportunity-grant.

Oregon Promise Grant

The Oregon Promise Grant is a state-funded program that helps cover tuition costs at any Oregon community college for recent high school, homeschool, or GED graduates. Funding amounts vary depending on a student’s financial need.

For more information about eligibility and application requirements, please visit: oregonstudentaid.gov/grants/oregon-promise-grant. 

Federal Direct Student Loan Programs

All students who meet eligibility criteria may apply for Federal Direct Student Loan funds. These are federally guaranteed loans. Loan amounts are determined by grade level (credits completed) and are dependent on the student’s cost of attendance.

There are two types of Direct Loans for student borrowers:

• Subsidized Federal Direct Student Loan (FDSL) eligibility is based on demonstrated financial need and is offered first, up to annual maximum limits determined by dependency status and grade level. Interest is not charged while the student is enrolled at least half-time; however, interest begins to accrue after the six-month grace period following the student’s enrollment in less than half-time status.

• Unsubsidized Federal Direct Loan (FDUL) eligibility is not based on financial need and may be requested up to annual maximum limits determined by dependency status and grade level, or by cost of attendance minus other aid and resources. Interest is charged to the borrower from the date of disbursement and may be paid periodically to avoid capitalization. A Loan Request and Revision form is required to receive this loan. In compliance with federal regulations, loans will be prorated for students attending less than 3 terms.

Federal Work Study (FWS)

Work Study provides students the opportunity to earn wages to help pay for educational expenses through part-time employment. Students must have a financial aid offer and be determined eligible for Work Study before being placed in a Work Study position. Students interested in Work Study should contact the Financial Aid Office located in the LaVerne Murphy Student Center. Required paperwork must be completed prior to beginning employment. For ,more information about eligibility and the work-study process, please visit: umpqua.edu/become-a-student/financial-aid/federal-work-study

Scholarships

Scholarships are a valuable way to help pay for educational expenses. Multiple scholarships are available every aid year, each with its own specific requirements. Scholarships may be offered through schools, employers, individuals, private companies, non-profits, community organizations, religious groups, and professional or social organizations. Students are responsible for searching for scholarships that align with their skills, interests, heritage, and field of study.

Information, resources, and application forms for scholarships are available on the UCC website at umpqua.edu/become-a-student/scholarships.

Tuition Waivers

Performance-based tuition waivers may be offered to students who have shown outstanding achievements in such areas as student leadership, journalism, performing and visual arts, and athletics. For more information about performance-based tuition waivers, contact the Financial Aid Office.

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Student Accounts

Payment Methods

Classes must be paid after registration either with cash, check, Visa, MasterCard, Discover card, online through the student self-service account (fees may apply) or by notifying Student Accounts in the Accounting and Finance department that other funding is available. Students must pay the College any money owed from previous terms before registering for the current term of classes.

It is the student’s responsibility to notify Student Accounts in the Accounting and Finance department that other funding is available.

Paying with Financial Aid

Students who apply for financial aid and are determined eligible will have their tuition and fees automatically deducted from their financial aid during the second week of each term, with the exception of the summer term.

Students receiving financial assistance from outside sources must work directly with the funding organization to meet UCC deadlines. All outside assistance must also be reported to the Financial Aid Office.

Financial Aid Refunds

Financial aid is first applied to term charges. Any remaining aid after institutional costs are paid is issued as a refund to the student. Refunds are sent by U.S. mail or direct deposit if set up with the Student Accounts Office. Timing varies based on enrollment, eligibility, and disbursement schedules. Summer term refund timing may differ.

Community Education/SBDC — Payment is due at time of registration. Students are eligible for a refund if they drop a class two business days prior to the class start date. To officially drop, students must contact Community and Workforce Training or SBDC office. A full refund will be granted if a workshop or class is cancelled by UCC.

Refunds

Students who withdraw from one or more UCC courses and who have complied with regulations governing withdrawals, are entitled to certain refunds of tuition depending on the time of withdrawal. Refunds are limited to students who comply with withdrawal procedures. See Withdrawals.

Full tuition is refunded if a withdrawal is made during the first week of fall, winter and spring terms. During summer, full tuition is refunded if a student withdrawal is made during the first three days of the 8-week session, and during the first two business days of each four-week session. No tuition refund will be made if withdrawal is made after these times.
Refunds in all cases are calculated from the date a refund is requested. It is not calculated from the date student ceased attending class. The only exception is in an unusual case in
which a delay occurred for reasons beyond the student’s control. Students will receive full refunds for courses cancelled by UCC. Certain fees are non-refundable (i.e. credit registration fee).

Please visit: umpqua.edu/become-a-student/cost-of-attendance for a full list.

Community Education/SBDC — Payment is due at time of registration. Students are eligible for a refund if they drop a class two business days prior to the class start date. To officially drop, students must contact Community and Workforce Training or SBDC office. A full refund will be granted if a workshop or class is cancelled by UCC.

Credit Card Payments

All refunds will be issued in the form of a check payable to the student regardless of the original form of payment or who paid for the course. If a third party sponsored agreement is set up with the Student Accounts in the Accounting and Finance department, refunds will be issued in the form of a check payable to the third party.

Nelnet Payment Option

Refunds for payments will be made by check to the student, regardless of who paid for the course

Non-Payment Actions

Consequences for Not Paying

If a student fails to pay their account, the college may take any or all of the following actions:

• Require immediate payment in full
• Block enrollment for any future terms
• Assign accounts to a collections status for non-payment¹
• Assign the debt to the Oregon Department of Revenue (DOR) for offset of any refunds or sums due to student from DOR or any other state agency.

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Students will be sent a final notice for accounts that are overdue before the college assigns them to a collection status and reports them to a credit bureau. The collection agency will add additional collection fees, court and attorney costs to the student’s account.

Unpaid Account Review After Three Months

A student’s account is reviewed after 90 days from payment due date (first day of the term). Accounts that remain unpaid or have not established a UCC Repayment Agreement through our mid-term and end-of-term billing cycle will be issued a Final Notice. The Final Notice may still allow students to contact Student Accounts in the Accounting and Finance department to set up a UCC Repayment Agreement. Failure to maintain payments under the UCC Repayment Agreement will result in an account being sent to collections.

Collection Agency Payments

Partial payment on accounts assigned to a collection agency must be paid directly to the collection agency. Student’s wanting to pay their account in full can do so either at the agency or by contacting UCC Student Accounts in the Accounting and Finance department. Payments made in full to UCC will include collection agency charges.

Once a collection agency account is paid-in-full, students may contact Student Accounts in the Accounting and Finance department at UCC to verify payment received at the agency. This will allow students faster access to registration. Until payment is officially posted by UCC on the student’s account; the “Overdue Payment” hold may be lifted by contacting Student Accounts in the Accounting and Finance department. Student Accounts in the Accounting and Finance department may not accept partial payments or set up payment agreements for the collection agencies. Students will need to contact the specific collection agency for these types of payment arrangements.