ECC offers student financial aid through many sources including academic or merit based scholarships, grants, and loans. Additional assistance options are available through a deferred payment plan.
GENERAL POLICIES FOR ALL PROGRAMS
- Institutional funds awarded to students are restricted to the cost of tuition.
- All students receiving financial aid from outside the College must notify ECC of the source(s) amount(s) of such aid.
- Financial aid awards are granted for one year and may be renewed if the renewal requirements are not by the recipient.
- Any student who has been “over awarded” will have the awards reduced by the Office of Financial Aid of ECC, so that the aid received will comply with all federal and state guidelines.
- Students must enroll as full-time student in order to receive a full time financial aid package. Full-time enrollment status for undergraduate students is defined as being enrolled in at least 12 credit hours at ECC each semester. Financial aid awards will be prorated for students who enroll in at least 6 hours each semester.
- Student scholarships, grants and loan funds will be credited to the student’s College account at the earliest date by federal regulations.
ACADEMIC AND PERFORMANCE SCHOLARSHIPS
The majority of academic scholarships awarded at ECC are awarded upon the student’s acceptance to the college. Scholarships are awarded to the incarcerated at 50% of the tuition fees. Scholarships are awarded to the disabled at 50% of the tuition fees. Scholarships are awarded through private and other Christian organizations.
FINANCIAL AID PROGRAMS
ECC offers financial Aide to students. Contact ECC Office of Admissions for further
Information: enlighteningcollege@gmail.com All aide amounts referred below are based upon full-time enrollment at ECC.
GRANT PROGRAMS
Grants are financial aid that you are not required to pay back.
ECC Grant - This is an ECC program based on established financial need. This grant assists those students who have documented unusual expenses or special circumstances. Awards are based on case by case only.
Dr. M.A. Peterson Grant - This is a special program grant for students who have completed the Bachelor’s Degree at ECC and desire to continue their higher education in the ministry.
LOAN PROGRAMS
Loans are borrowed money that you must repay with interest.
ECC Student Loan Program - A student loan program is provided by ECC Financing Department for the full amount of the degree program, less the down payment at 10% APR. Contact ECC Office of Admissions for more information.
SATISFACTORY ACADEMIC PROGRESS STANDARDS
Students participating in financial aid programs including scholarships, grants, and loans, must make satisfactory academic progress toward their degrees or certifications. Students must satisfactorily complete his/her course(s) study within the following time frame and maintain the required grade point average outlined in the Table of Academic Standards. Students must be in “Good Standing” to be considered as making satisfactory academic progress.
The maximum time frame for which a student may receive financial aid may not exceed 150% of the published length of the academic study. Hours of courses with grades of I, T, F, U, WP, and WF are not considered as hours completed in determining satisfactory academic progress.
The table below outlines the “minimum” hours that must be completed annually for full-time undergraduate students (12 hours per semester).
Academic Program Hours Total Cumulative Hours Hours per Academic Year
1st year 20 20
2nd year 40 20
3rd year 64 24
4th year 88 24
5th year 112 24
6th year 136 24
The student enrolled part-time (6-8 hours) must complete 12 hours per academic year. The grade point average must be the same as that of a full-time student.
The student enrolled three-quarter time (9-11 hours) must complete 18 hours per academic year. The grade point average must be the same as that of a full-time student.
A transfer student will be adjusted to the schedule in the required time frame based upon the number of transferred hours, i.e. 30 hours transferred, student will be in second year of academic progress.
A returning student in good standing will be adjusted to the required time frame based upon the number of successfully completed hours.
A re-entering student not in good standing at ECC will be granted one semester of financial aid probation provided he/she is now in good standing based on hours attempted for each of the last two semesters of full-time attendance at another accredited college or university. After the probation period, the student must meet the requirements in the time frame based on the number of successfully completed hours and maintain the required grade point average level.
A readmitted student, not in good standing and who has not attended another college or university, will not be awarded financial aid until satisfactory academic progress is achieved. Any course taken at ECC repeated for a grade must be repeated at ECC. Any course taken at another institution may be repeated at ECC and the most recent grade on the course will be counted.
A student who withdraws from ECC after the refund period, must maintain satisfactory academic progress according to the time frame. A student will not receive credit for incomplete courses.
SATISFACTORY ACADEMIC PROGRESS REVIEW
Satisfactory academic progress of each student receiving financial aid will be reviewed at the end of each semester for a grade point average and annually at the end of the Spring semester for cumulative hours. A student who does not meet the minimum requirements will be advised by letter that his/her academic record does not reflect satisfactory academic progress and then he/she will be placed on one semester of financial aid probation. If, at the end of the grace semester, the student who has been placed on probation is still not making satisfactory academic progress, he/she will be notified by letter that further financial assistance through the Office of Financial Aid will be denied until his/her academic record meets the required standards.
APPEAL PROCESS
Where extenuating circumstances exist (i.e. illness, serious injury, death in the family, etc.), a student may appeal in writing to the Director of the Office of Financial Aid. The Director will submit the appeal to the Chancellor of the College and his committee and they are authorized to grant, on an individual basis, an additional semester of probation as an exception to the policy.
This policy statement is effective as of April 15, 2022 and replaces all previous financial aid policies regarding satisfactory progress.
