Financial Aid, Scholarships and Grants
Students applying for financial aid at Cochise College must be admitted into an eligible degree or certificate program of study and must meet any other eligibility requirements for each program.
Official academic transcripts are required of all transfer students. Transcripts are evaluated and restricted enrollment enforced when applicable. Students who have not met the college's academic standards (2.0 GPA and completion of 75 percent of classes attempted) at the prior institution(s) will be evaluated with the same probation and suspension standards currently in place for Cochise College students. Students who consistently have received W and F grades may be required to complete a progress appeal.
Cochise College provides access to federal, state, and institutional financial aid through the Financial Aid Office. A number of institutional and private scholarship applications are also available. Financial aid may be awarded based on financial need, academic merit, athletic ability, or community service. The application process for most of the programs begins with completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students complete the FAFSA online at www.FAFSA.gov. To assist in completing the online application, a FAFSA worksheet is available online or from the Financial Aid Office. Priority consideration for some grants is given to applications received in the Financial Aid Office by May 31.
Federal Pell Grants
A federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, does not have to be repaid. It is restricted to undergraduate students. Eligibility is established by the federal government, and the grant is targeted to students with high need. The award adjusts to students' actual enrollment status. Students never attending a course or withdrawing from all of their courses could face repayment of all received Pell Grant monies.
Federal Direct Loans (Stafford Loans)
Low-interest student loans are available to help meet educational expenses. The loans must be repaid. Students must be enrolled in a minimum of six credit hours during a term (including eight-week terms) to be eligible. Loans can also be obtained by students who do not demonstrate a need. A student must complete loan entrance counseling, the master promissory note, and a direct loan request form before a student loan can be certified.
Work-Study Program
The work-study program offers students an opportunity to work up to 16 hours per week to assist with college expenses. Many of these jobs are career related and offer flexible work schedules. Students must be enrolled at least half time, have a minimum 2.0 GPA, and maintain Satisfactory Progress to qualify for these jobs. Work-study jobs are available both on and off campus. Information on student employment is available from the Human Resources Office.
Veterans Affairs
The Veterans Affairs Office is located within the Financial Aid Office on the Sierra Vista Campus. Information concerning attendance, benefits, and procedures is available. All veterans are advised to maintain close contact with the college’s certifying official.
Veterans receiving VA benefits are required to immediately report to the college’s certifying official when they add a course, drop a course or withdraw from college. Dropping or reducing enrollment may result in an overpayment of benefits by the VA and veterans may be required to repay all the money received during that term.
Veterans at Cochise College may register and have their classes put on hold to allow for payment to be made by the VA or the veteran. When a veteran enrolls they must notify the VA Office, by submitting a Semester Benefit Request form, the day they enroll or they may be dropped for non-payment of tuition. Veterans are responsible for payment of all tuition and fees, regardless of approval or denial of VA benefit payments.
Scholarships
Scholarships are offered by the Cochise College Foundation each year. These scholarships are funded by private donors. Financial need, grade point average, field of study, leadership and community service may be some of the eligibility requirements. Applications are accepted early in the spring semester for scholarships to be awarded for the following academic year. Notices of other scholarships are publicized periodically. The STARS application can be found at www.cochise.edu/fa.