The purpose of Financial aid is to provide monetary assistance to qualified students. The majority of our students receive some type of financial aid through grants, scholarships and loans. Financial aid is available through a variety of sources for  students enrolled in career development programs. Aid may cover tuition, books, transportation and child care. Each source has its own guidelines concerning eligibility and filing deadlines.

For more information, our Financial Aid Advisor James Ferrero can help you navigate through the world of PELL Grants and various other programs available. He can be contacted at 330-438-2556, ext. 107.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS

Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for Federal Student Aid programs a student must be a U. S. Citizen or National, a citizen of the Freely Associated States: the Federated States of Micronesia and the Republics of Palau and the Marshall Islands, a U.S. permanent resident or other eligible non-citizen. In addition to citizenship requirements the student must not have prior student loans in Default status.  The student must have a valid social security number. The student must not owe a Grant Overpayment from a previous school.

Application Process
The application process for all Federal Student Aid programs (Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965) begin with the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Students should complete their FAFSA at www.studentaid.gov. The school code for Canton City Schools Adult Community Education Adult Career & Technical Education is 015029. Students and parents (if student is under 24 years of age, unmarried, and no dependent children) will first apply for a FSA ID. When FAFSA is completed student will receive a confirmation email. When processing is complete they will receive an email with the SAR (Student Aid Report). If the FAFSA is incomplete the details will be listed in the Comment section of the SAR. The financial aid office will receive a corresponding document titled the ISIR. If further processing is required, the Financial Aid Advisor will contact the student with instructions on how to complete the application process. The SAR and confirmation email will have an EFC (Estimated Family Contribution). This number is key in determining what awards the student is eligible for.

Students may be required to supply additional information to the Financial Aid Office. The U. S. Department of Education and or the school may select a student for Verification. If the student is selected, they will have to provide documentation of various questions on the FAFSA. The following are some items, but not limited to, that may be requested: Student’s and Parent’s (if applicable)  Federal Income Tax Return, either electronic via FAFSA, paper 1040 form or a Tax Return Transcript (Student should refer to www.irs.gov if one is requested); Photo identification, a signed statement of the number in the Student’s and or Parent’s household; high school transcript; a signed attestation of the student’s identity, citizenship status.

Cost of Attendance
Cost of Attendance is a comprehensive dollar amount that reflects the student’s total cost of attending school. This cost includes the amount charged by the school (Tuition, fees, books, supplies), an estimate of housing, transportation and personal expenses for the period the student is enrolled in the program. Student need is based on this number and is presented and explained to each student during their mandatory meeting with the Financial Aid Advisor.

Federal Pell Grant Program
The Federal Pell Grant is awarded to students who display an exceptional need and have not earned a bachelor’s, graduate, or professional degree.  A Federal Pell Grant is gift aid and does not need to be repaid in most circumstances. Early withdrawal or dismissal from a program may lead to a student owing Pell Grant funds to the government or the school.

The amount of Federal Pell Grant is based on the EFC. The U. S. Department of Education determines an annual Pell Grant award schedule annually. The web page with the link to the award schedule can be found at the following (https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/grants/pell).

A school has to define the length of its academic year as the number of clock hours and number of weeks in an instructional year a student must complete to receive a Schedule Award.  However, a full time academic year must be a minimum of 900 clock hours and 36 weeks “Payment period” is defined as 1/2 (one half) of the eligible academic program.

Federal Direct Loan Program 
Direct Loans refer to the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program. There are three types of loans available in this program:  Subsidized Direct Loan, Unsubsidized Direct Loan, PLUS Loan.

Students must complete the following to be eligible for the following. Loan Entrance Counseling, a Master Promissory Note, Annual Student Loan Acknowledgement, Loan Exit Counseling (before graduation or withdrawal). Go to www.studentaid.gov 🡪COMPLETE AID PROCESS 🡪 COMPLETE ENTRANCE COUNSELING OR 🡪COMPLETE ANNUAL STUDENT LOAN ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OR 🡪 COMPETE MASTER PROMISSORY NOTE.  Exit Counseling www.studentaid.gov 🡪MANAGE LOANS🡪  COMPLETE EXIT COUNSELING.

Direct Subsidized Loan is a need based loan. The student must have remaining need in their Cost of Attendance calculation. See Cost of Attendance section. The interest charges on this loan are subsidized by the U. S. Department of Education while the student is in attendance and in the initial six- month grace period after the student graduates or otherwise ceases attendance.

Direct Unsubsidized Loan is a non-need based loan. Interest begins to accrue after the first disbursement. Students have the option to make “interest only” payments on their Direct Unsubsidized Loan while they are in school.

Direct PLUS Loan is a non-need based for the benefit of a dependent student (under 24 years of age, unmarried, and no dependent children) that a parent may apply for. This loan is a credit based loan. On initiation of the PLUS loan application the individual parent’s credit record will be accessed by U. S. Department of Education to ascertain the parent’s eligibility for the Direct PLUS Loan. The Direct PLUS loan cannot exceed the remaining need of a student’s Cost of Attendance after all other grants and loans.

There is a limit to the amount of Subsidized and Unsubsidized Direct Loans a student may receive, both on an annual basis and lifetime basis.

An independent and dependent student (under 24 years of age, unmarried, and no dependent children) may receive a total of $3,500.00 in Direct Subsidized Loan per award year but may not exceed $23,000.00 over the student’s lifetime. The student will be ineligible for a Direct Subsidized loan if they have received Direct Subsidized Loan for over 150% of time it usually takes to complete a particular program or degree. The total award year limit for student loans is $5,500.00 for a dependent student and $9,500 for an independent student. The total lifetime limit Direct Loans a 

Workforce Initiative Grants
Student funding under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act also referred to as Workforce Initiative Association (WIA) is available through Ohio Means Jobs centers throughout Ohio. Canton City Schools Adult Community Education, Adult Career & Technical Education deals predominantly with Ohio Means Jobs Stark and Tuscarawas Counties. Funding is also available from other Ohio Means Jobs centers including but not limited to Summit County, Mahoning / Columbiana Counties, Carroll County, Wayne County. Students must apply for funding through these centers by the deadline dates set by the centers. Students are given the deadline dates for OMJ-Stark and Tuscarawas after they complete and pass they complete admissions testing. If the student resides outside Stark or Tuscarawas the Financial Aid Advisor will direct them to the appropriate agency in their county of residence.

Scholarships
Although rare, there are scholarships available for career training centers. Students should pursue these opportunities that may be available through their employer, their high school, civic organizations etc. When the Financial Aid Office is aware of additional funding opportunities they will disseminate the information to current and or prospective students.

Veteran’s Education Benefits
Chapter 30 Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty Educational Assistance 
Chapter 31 Vocational Rehabilitation 
Chapter 32 Veterans’ Education Assistance Program 
Chapter 33 Post 911 
Chapter 35 Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance 
Chapter 1606 Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve Educational Assistance Program 
Chapter 1607 Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve Educational Assistance Program  

The following programs are approved for VA Education Benefits: Automotive Service Technician, Medical Assistant, Medical Insurance Billing and Coding, Practical Nurse Program, State Tested Nursing Assistant.  

How to Apply for VA Education Benefits

Applying for your VA education benefits can be done in just a few steps:

Apply online at https://www.va.gov/education/how-to-apply/.
Visit your nearest VA regional office to apply in person.
Call 1-888-GI BILL-1 (888-442-4551) to have the application mailed to you.
Contact the VA Certifying Official at Canton City Schools Adult Community Education, Adult Career & Technical Education at (330)-438-2556.
 

To Apply for VA Education Benefits You Will Need to Provide the Following: 

DD-214 Discharge papers (Certified Copy)
VA Certificate of Eligibility (COE)
DD-2348 Notice of Basic Eligibility (NOBE) for members of Selective Reserve (See Commanding Officer for this document) 
 

To be certified for VA Education Benefits through CCSACE-ACTE, students must submit all required documentation/forms to the Financial Aid Office and complete the enrollment process.

To comply with the Veterans Benefits and Transition Act of 2018, CCSACE-ACTE will not impose any penalty, including the assessment of last fees, the denial of access to classes, libraries or other institutional facilities, or the requirement that a Chapter 31 or Chapter 33 recipient borrow additional funds to cover the individual’s inability to meet his or her financial obligations to the institution due to the delayed disbursement of payment by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Prior Credit Evaluation Form

The Prior Credit Evaluation form is applicable to new students who wish to use VA educational benefits or those using benefits who change programs.  The VA requires all prior courses, credits and military training/experience should be evaluated for transfer credit appropriate to the student’s program. 

Jobs and Family Services
Dependent on funding, programs exist for education and training through county departments of jobs and family services throughout Ohio. If you are already receiving food assistance and or cash assistance, please contact your case manager for further information on available programs.

Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA)
Financial assistance may be available for students who have lost jobs or had hours and wages reduced because of foreign trade. Contact your employer or your local county Jobs One-Stop center for more information and eligibility requirements.  For more information, please visit http://jfs.ohio.gov/ouio/TradeAdjustAssist_FAQ.stm. 

Educational Training Voucher
Students that were in foster care on their 18th birthday and timed out of the system or students; students that were in guardianship, kinship care, or legal custody at or after age 16; students that were adopted out of foster care at age 16 or older may be eligible to participate in the Ohio ETV program. Students may apply at www.fc2sprograms.org/ohio .

The American Opportunity Credit & Lifetime Learning Credit
Canton City Schools Adult Community Education Adult Career & Technical Education is a qualified institution for the American Opportunity Credit & Lifetime Learning Credit. These are federal tax credits for certain payments and student loan disbursements applied to the eligible tuition and fees. The school will issue Form 1098-T if the student has made an eligible payment. The Form 1098-T will be issued on or about January 31st of the year following the calendar year in which the payment was made.

Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) (BVR-Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation) (BVI-Bureau of Services for Visually Impaired)
Students with disabilities may be eligible for assistance through this agency. Please contact them at https://ood.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/ood/individuals-with-disabilities/find-us/canton or https://ood.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/ood/about-us

Financial Aid Offer
The Financial Aid Office will present the prospective student with a Financial Aid Offer sheet when the amount of student aid is determined. The student will meet with the Financial Aid Advisor to discuss the aid package and advise student on loan amounts and or further action required. This occurs before the start of classes.

Institutional Refund Policy
Full-Time Programs (Practical Nurse, Automotive Service Technician, Medical Assistant, Medical Insurance Billing & Coding, Welding)

Should CCSACE-ACTE determine that a program will not run, all tuition and fees paid will be refunded to the student within 45 days. (With the exception of testing fees.)

Admissions testing fees, books, medical exam fees, BCI/FBI background check fees, uniforms, supplies, insurance, tools, CPR fees and drug test fees are non-refundable if the program begins and the student withdraws.

Any tuition paid in advance will be fully refunded within 45 days if the student withdraws before the first day of class.

Refund of tuition charges are based on a prorated calculation by days enrolled

After the student has been enrolled in over 50% of a payment period, no refunds will be issued. 

Short Term Program (State Tested Nurse Assistant)

For programs with required pre-registration fees, these fees will be non-refundable, unless CCSACE-ACTE determines that the program will not run.

Required payment schedules will be shared with prospective students by program upon acceptance.

Click to view CARES: Coronavirus Aid, Releife and Economic Security Act: Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund - CARES  

The Clery Act: This act requires that all postsecondary institutions participating in title IV student financial assistance programs disclose campus crime statistics and other security information to students and the public. The VAWA amendments added requirements that institutions disclose statistics,  policies and programs related to dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking,  among other changes. This information has been compiled and can be viewed in our ANNUAL SECURITY REPORT. To view Clery Act/Federal Register rules and regulations, click here. Employer Sponsored Funding: Check with your employer to see if your organization has employee funding or a reimbursement program.

Return of Title IV Funds (R2T4): Federal student aid recipients who withdraw from Canton City Schools Adult Career & Technical Education programs prior to completion are subject to the Return of Title IV Funds (R2T4) policy. This policy calculates how much Title IV aid the recipient has earned for the period that he/she was enrolled in class.  Canton City School Adult Community Education Center will determine the earned and unearned Title IV aid a student has, as of the date the student last attended school or in the case of a clock hour program, up through the 60% point in each payment period (PP) or period of enrollment (POE). 

Order of Return of Student Financial Aid Program Funds

Funds that are required to be returned to the U.S. Department of Education must be returned in the   following order:

The student will be responsible for any outstanding balance that Title IV (financial aid) funding did not cover. Upon request, worksheets used to determine the amount of refund or Return of Title IV aid are available in the Student Services Office.

If a student withdraws from Canton City School Adult Community Education Center, the student may be required to return a portion of the federal funds awarded. The student may also be eligible for a refund of a portion of the tuition, books or fees paid to Canton City School District Adult Career Center for the billing period.

Canton City School District Refund Policy exists for calculating the refund of institutional charges. The Federal “Return of Title IV Financial Aid Funds” formula dictates the amount of Federal Title IV Financial Aid that must be returned to the federal government by the school and/or the student. The federal formula is applicable to a student receiving Federal Aid if that student withdraws on or before the 60% point in the billing period.

The percentage of the Title IV Financial Aid to be returned is equal to the number of clock hours attended in the billing period divided by the number of hours that were scheduled. For example, if a student has completed 30% of the billing period they have earned 30% of their financial aid. However, once a student has completed 60% of the hours in a billing period, 100% of the financial aid awarded that billing period will have been earned.

NOTE: If financial aid funds have been released to a student because of a credit balance on the student’s account, then the student may be required to repay some of the aid if the student withdraws.

Students Withdrawn due to Lack of Attendance

The last day of recorded attendance becomes the student’s official withdrawal date.  The dean of students submits a student withdrawal form to the Canton City School Adult Career Tech secretary.  The secretary works with the financial aid office issue to issue an official withdrawal letter to the student using the last official date of attendance as the withdrawal date.

Students Withdrawn due to Failing Grades

When it is mathematically impossible for the students to bring up their grade average to a 78%, the student meets with the Dean of Students and the student is officially withdrawn from the program on that date.  The Dean of Students submits a withdraw form to the Adult Career Tech Secretary.  The secretary works with the financial aid office to issue an official withdrawal letter to the student.

The Department of Education has developed a Return of Title IV Aid web product.  It is accessible via the main menu of the FAA Access at the CPS online website.

• Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loan
• Subsidized Federal Stafford Loan
• Federal PLUS Loan
• Pell Grant
   
• The Financial Aid Department completes the “Treatment of When A Student Withdraws From Clock Hour Program Worksheet.”  This worksheet determines what is owed to the school as well as the amount of financial aid the student has earned. 
• If the student has earned financial aid in excess of what was owed to the school, the financial aid advisor will notify in writing the treasurer’s office (within 5 business days of the student’s withdrawal date) the amount owed to the student.  The district treasurers’ office will issue the refund check to the student within 7 business days of receiving the written notice.