Financial Aid FAQ

What is financial aid?

Financing a college education is a challenge for many current and prospective college students. Although the McLennan Community College Office of Financial Aid will assist students in every way, the primary responsibility for financing a college education rests with the student and family. Financial aid is intended to supplement (not replace) the student’s and/or family’s financial contributions toward meeting the costs of attending college. Financial aid awards are based on financial need, scholastic ability and other requirements. Financial aid is awarded from a variety of grant, scholarship, work and student loans depending on the student’s situation. For more information call or visit the Office of Financial Aid, located in the Student Services Building.

What are general eligibility requirements?

To be eligible for financial aid, students must meet the following criteria:

What are application deadlines?

The deadlines for completing your financial aid file in order to ensure that funds will be available for registration are as follows:
Fall semester - July 1
Spring semester - Nov. 1
Summer session - April 1 (limited aid is available for summer terms)

Applications received after these dates will be considered on a funds-available basis. However, funding from financial aid may not be available at registration for students who applied after the deadline, so students must be prepared to pay their tuition and fees when they register.

Applications for all private donor scholarships are available Dec. 1 and are due by Feb. 10.

What is satisfactory progress?

Students are required to be making satisfactory academic progress at the time they receive federal and state financial aid. Students receiving these funds at McLennan Community College are considered to be achieving satisfactory academic progress as long as the following criterion is met:

Students must complete 75 percent of all college-level course work attempted with a minimum 2.00 cumulative grade point average.

Generally students may receive financial aid during their first 93 semester hours of college-credit course work regardless of whether financial aid was previously received. Students may only receive financial aid for the first 27 hours of remedial course work attempted. The complete Satisfactory Academic Progress policy is listed in the current college catalog, and copies of the policy are available in the Office of Financial Aid.

How do I apply for financial aid?

To be considered for financial aid, students must complete these basic steps:

  1. Complete the MCC application for admission.
    The printed version of the application can be obtained here: Admission Application (PDF). or from the Office of Student Admissions.
    The online version of the application can be accessed here: Online Admission Application.
    A student must have an application on file before any financial aid award can be made.
  2. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
    This application may be completed on the Web by visiting http://www.fafsa.ed.gov or the packet may be picked up in the Office of Financial Aid or from your high school counselor.
  3. Have the Federal Pell Grant Student Aid Report sent to MCC by using our code (003590) on the application.
  4. Complete the process each year.
    Students must apply for financial aid on a yearly basis. The financial aid year begins in the fall semester, so students must apply before each fall semester. Applications for the following year are usually available during January of each year.

What is the code for MCC?

The OE code for MCC is 003590.

What happens if I withdraw?

Students who receive Title IV financial aid and withdraw from or drop courses during the school year may be required to repay financial aid already received AND may be placed on financial aid probation or suspension (see "Satisfactory Academic Progress"). Withdrawal during the fall semester will result in the cancellation of financial aid designated for the spring semester.

Students receiving Title IV financial aid who withdraw or are dropped from all coursework during the first 60 percent of a semester will be required to repay a portion of their tuition and fees to the college AND repay a portion of their financial aid award to the federal government. Failure to repay these amounts within 45 days will make the student ineligible to receive further financial aid at any college or university until the amounts are repaid. Please contact the Office of Financial Aid for further information.

Can I receive financial aid for attending more than one school?

Under current law, only one school is allowed to pay a student their financial aid. If you are planning to attend more than one school, visit with your financial aid counselor at the school where you will be receiving your degree for more information.