Financial Aid

The NICC Financial Aid Office is the official institutional depository for student financial aid records. Financial aid information and applications are available through this office. The Financial Aid Office works with students, parents, and counselors to determine eligibility for one or a combination of several kinds of financial aid assistance to help meet the cost of education.

FAFSA Applications and Procedures

All regular degree or certificate-seeking students at NICC who are interested in financial aid assistance or scholarships must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) before registering for classes. The FAFSA form is at https://studentaid.gov/. NICC's school code for the FAFSA is 015339. You will sign this online application with a pin # and if you are a dependent student your parent or guardian will need to sign using their own pin#.

For the first time, the new MyStudentAid mobile app makes it possible for you to complete the FAFSA on your phone or tablet. You can download the app for your Apple or Android device.

The application should be completed only after parents and/or students have filed federal income taxes. Complete the FAFSA as soon as possible using accurate actual figures from your income tax forms (1040, 1040A, or 1040EZ forms). If you do not have a copy of your tax return you can use the link on https://studentaid.gov to access your tax information. If you have not filed Federal Tax Returns please consult the Financial Aid office or your AAR staff.

This application will determine how much you and your family should be able to contribute toward your college costs and will demonstrate eligibility for federal aid programs, Tribal higher education, and campus based scholarships. Processing of the FAFSA application takes seven to ten days once all Pin #’s (signatures) are submitted.

Students will be considered for all types of federal, state, or institutional grants some funds are on a first-come, first-served basis so apply as early as possible. For additional information regarding financial aid, scholarship opportunities, and policies contact the Financial Aid Office or your local advisor.

IRS Form 4506-T Request for Transcript of Tax Return http://www.irs.gov/uac/About-Form-4506T 

Satisfactory Academic Progress

Federal regulations require that institutions participating in federal financial aid programs measure student progress. No payment of funds may be made unless the institution determines that the student is maintaining satisfactory progress in the course of studies he/she is pursuing, according to the standards and practices of the institution at which the student is in attendance. At the end of each term all students will be evaluated for satisfactory academic progress.

To be in satisfactory standing each student must meet the Qualitative, Quantitative, and Funding Limit criteria.

CRITERIA 1: Grade Point Requirements (Qualitative)
Each student who receives Federal financial aid must have at least a minimum cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) as defined by their attempted credit hours:
Freshman: A student who has attempted 0 to 15 credits – CGPA Required 1.5
Freshman 2: A student who has attempted 16 to 30 credits – CGPA required 1.75
Sophomore: A student who has attempted 31 or more credits – CGPA required 2.0

CRITERIA 2: Course Completion Requirements (Quantitative)
The student is eligible for financial aid when they successfully earn with a passing grade of A, B, C, D, or P at least 67% of the cumulative attempted credit hours per term. A grade of F, UW, W, or I, is considered an unsuccessful grade.

NICC does count the following grades as hours attempted and they are calculated into CGPA:
● Unofficially Withdrawn Courses (UW)
● Grade of an “F”

NICC does not count the following classes as attempted or earned.
● Audited classes

Student’s Quantitative progress will be calculated as Cumulative Earned Credit/Cumulative Attempted Credit. For example: A student attempting 12 credit hours in a term and successfully completing 6 will not be meeting Criteria 2 requirements.

Students who fail to meet these standards are deemed to be making unsatisfactory progress and Financial Aid assistance will be affected. Students will be notified in writing of their condition from the Financial Aid Office. Copies will also be provided to the Academic Dean, the Registrar and the student’s Faculty advisor. Students not meeting minimum standards will be subject to Financial Aid Warning or Suspension.

Financial Aid Warning, Suspension, Probation, Academic Plan, and Regaining Eligibility are defined under Academic Progress.

It is the student's responsibility to notify the Financial Aid Office when he/she has met the satisfactory academic progress requirements for reinstatement. Students will be notified in writing if they are being placed on financial aid warning or suspension.

Financial Aid Funding Limit

All federal financial aid eligibility is limited to 150% of the published length of the institution's educational programs. Therefore, the funding limit for students enrolled at NICC will be assessed on an individual basis according to the declared program in regards to attempted credits. Beyond this funding limit, students will be expected to continue classes at their own expense. Course work transferred from another institution will be calculated in the cumulative total of the 150%. Appeals for exceptions may be made through the Student Scholastic Committee (Academic Dean, Dean of Student Services, Registrar, Financial Aid, Student Billing and an appointed Faculty member).

Types of Financial Aid Assistance

FEDERAL PROGRAM
● Federal PELL grant
● Federal Work Study (FWS)
● Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (SEOG)
● Must enroll in a program of study leading to a degree or certificate
● Must be a U.S. citizen or an eligible non-citizen
● Must not be in default on a student loan or owe a refund on a grant previously received from any college. If you need assistance with this process contact your Financial Aid Director.
● Must have a high school diploma or complete a GED before receiving aid.
● Must be registered with selective service if male and 18 years or older
● Must demonstrate financial need
● Must be making satisfactory progress if a continuing student
● Must complete and submit a FAFSA.

The award amount is based on cost of attendance, enrollment status, prior year's income, and length of enrollment during the academic year. Students are required to be in good standing in their classes. Nebraska Indian Community College does not offer Federal Direct Loans.

TRIBAL PROGRAMS
The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Higher Education grant programs provide financial assistance to American Indian students, who are enrolled members of federally recognized tribes. Students interested in applying for BIA Higher Education grants or Adult Vocational Education grants must contact their Tribe's higher education program for application procedures and deadlines.

In order to complete the application process for Tribal grants, students must have completed a FAFSA. Deadlines for these programs vary for the Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters or sessions. Check with your enrolled agency for exact deadlines. BIA funding is limited, so apply early.

SCHOLARSHIPS
The Nebraska Indian Community College offers several scholarships established by private organizations and individuals. The criteria and award amounts vary with each scholarship.
Applications for the following scholarships are available from the Financial Aid Office or campus Advisors.

American Indian College Fund (AICF)
The American Indian College Fund provides assistance to learners who demonstrate high scholastic achievement. These scholarships may be awarded to any student who has demonstrated high academic achievement, and has unmet financial need. A portion of this scholarship may be awarded to non-Native students.

High School Graduate Success Scholarship

NICC offers scholarships to all incoming High School Graduates who are enrolled Native
American (descendancy proof also allowed) or Nebraska residents. This scholarship applies
to the entire time that the student is enrolled in a degree seeking program so long as the
student persists from fall to spring and following fall and spring terms.

• Student must be enrolled within 9 months of their high school graduation date or completion of their final general education diploma.
• Full time students (at least 12 credits) will be eligible for $1000.00 annually
• Students must be enrolled every fall and spring semester until they graduate from NICC.
• Students must maintain a 2.0 CGPA
• Starting the second enrolled term students will be required to maintain good academic standing.
• Nebraska resident or member of a Federally Recognized tribe or show descendancy by providing a birth certificate and parent enrollment (talk to the Registrar’s office for additional questions).
• Students will not be required to demonstrate need for financial aid.

High School Graduate Scholarship for less than full time or students that do not meet enrollment or residence requirements

High School Graduates not attending full time will receive a $500.00 scholarship the first year of enrollment.

• Student must be enrolled within 9 months of their high school graduation date or completion of their final general education diploma.
• Students will not be required to demonstrate need for financial aid.

Senior Citizens/Elders Tuition Waiver
NICC offers non-refundable tuition waivers for citizens 55 years of age or older as of the first day of the semester enrolled. Qualifying senior citizens will be charged for fees associated with student services. Tuition-paying students have priority over senior citizens if the course reaches capacity.

Summer Tuition Waiver
NICC offers non-refundable tuition waivers for summer semester when students successfully complete their course work. Students are required to seek all Financial Aid possibilities prior to receiving this waiver. Waivers for summer should be submitted at the beginning of the term.

Other Scholarships
NICC offers several other scholarship opportunities including:
● AIHEC Student of The Year Scholarship
● BRAN Scholarship
● Coca Cola Scholarships
● EDUQuest Scholarship
● NASA scholarship
● Students are encouraged to complete an on-going Internet search for the hundreds of college scholarships available throughout the year.

Students must understand that applying for a scholarship does not necessarily mean the student will receive the scholarship. All scholarships are competitive and are, in most cases, tied to a high grade point average, good attendance, and/or unmet need. All scholarship deadlines are strictly maintained. Most scholarships require a written essay, photo, or other documentation by the applicant.

Payment of Financial Aid Awards

All required admission and financial aid documentation must be complete and on file before any financial aid can be awarded. Each student's financial aid is credited to their student account in the Business Office in the order received. All institutional charges, including tuition, fees, books, materials, and supplies are deducted from the financial aid award(s). If a student's financial aid exceeds institutional charges, the student will receive a refund. College students will receive their financial aid in up to two disbursements per term. Federal funds will be disbursed the sixth week and throughout the term with attendance and academic standing documentation. Students identified as “no shows” and excessive absenteeism in the first four weeks will have their financial aid held until progress is reviewed at mid-term. Non-federal funds will be disbursed during/after the 10th week. No funds will be awarded until they are received from the awarding agency.

Students, who withdraw from all of their courses or stop attending during a term, will have their award recalculated as directed by Title IV requirements, usually referred to as R2T4. This calculation is done by the Financial Aid Director and the funds are returned. Students may also have scholarship monies reduced if they have not met criteria of the scholarship.