Nursing Financial Aid FAQ

• FAQ
• Consumer Information
• Financial Literacy
• Tips for completing the FAFSA
• Cost and Fees

FAQ

1. What is the federal code?
   A code number identifies every college and university that receives federal funds. The federal code number for Hondros College is 040743.
2. What does FAFSA mean?
   This means Free Application for Federal Student Aid. You should not pay any money to have a FAFSA processed. The website is www.fafsa.ed.gov.
3. Is this my final award?
   The aid award you received from the Financial Aid Office is based on the information you provided to us through the FAFSA. It is a final award unless new or additional information is provided to us.
4. What is verification and why was I chosen?
   Verification is a process in which the aid administrator must confirm that all information on the FAFSA is accurate and complete. Applications are randomly selected. Each year, at least 30 percent of all applicants are selected for verification by the Department of Education.
5. Why do you need our tax returns and W-2 forms?
   If you are selected for verification, we need your tax returns and W-2 forms to confirm information reported to the federal processor on the FAFSA.
6. Do I have to apply for financial aid every year?
   Yes, although it is easier after the first year because you will be using a renewal application, which already has much of the data preprinted from the previous year. You may access your renewal application electronically upon receipt of your Personal Identification Number (PIN) from the federal processor. The web site address is www.fafsa.ed.gov.
7. Do I receive the same aid package every year?
   You must apply for aid every year, and if family income, family size and number in college changes, your aid award may also change.
8. Why did I lose my Pell Grant?
   Your Pell Grant will change or be lost if your family income or other variables that are part of the formula change, resulting in a higher expected family contribution, as determined by the federal processor.
   
9. How do I know how much I owe?
   The cost to your family is determined by subtracting the grants, scholarships and loan funds the student has been awarded from the direct costs.
10. What can I do if I don't have enough money to pay my bill or if my parents won't help me?
    Schedule an appointment with the Financial Aid Office. It is important to resolve any financial problems before the academic year begins.
11. What happens if family circumstances change after I file the FAFSA?
    Changes in family circumstances can change your eligibility for aid. You should schedule an appointment with the Financial Aid Office to review your circumstances as soon as possible.
12. What happens if I drop all my courses?
    Financial aid is subject to federal refund calculations when students drop all their courses for the academic term or withdraw from Hondros College. This process is formula driven and is unique to each student.

Consumer Information

Federal regulations require institutions that receive Title IV funding provide specific consumer information about Hondros College to prospective and currently enrolled students. Listed below is the information that Hondros is required to disclose and where additional information can be found. Additional information is also available in the Hondros College Catalog. Financial Aid Office staff members, located in College Hall, are available during normal business hours to assist you if you are unable to obtain the desired information. For a copy of our Consumer Handbook click here. (PDF)

The Family Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
The Family Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (commonly referred to as FERPA or the "Buckley Amendment") guarantees a student 1) access to his or her educational record, 2) the right to challenge the accuracy of the record, and 3) the right to limit release of information from the record. Additional information or questions can be directed to the Office of the Registrar.
http://www2.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/ferpa/index.html

Student Right to Know
In compliance with Section 485 of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended by the Student Right-To-Know and Campus Security Act (P.L. 101-542) and the Higher Education Technical Amendments of 1991 (P.L. 102-26), Hondros College annually publishes graduation rates. This information can be requested through the Office of the Registrar.

Campus Security Law
Hondros's campus security report may be requested from the Campus Director. The Office of Post Secondary Education Campus Security Statistics Website. Students are encouraged to take security issues seriously.

Nondiscrimination Policy
Throughout our history, Hondros has been a nondiscriminatory institution. The President has appointed a Diversity Committee representing the various faculty and staff to address the issues of discrimination and cultural diversity on campus. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in any educational program or activity receiving federal assistance by way of grant, contract or loan. Title IV of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 is similar in its prohibition of employment discrimination on the basis of sex, religion color or national origin. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals with disabilities.

Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act
Hondros has adopted and implemented a program to prevent the illicit use of drugs and the abuse of alcohol by students and employees. A Policy Handbook of Substance Abuse is published annually and distributed by the Human Resources Office.

Voter Registration
Voter registration forms are available in the Campus Directors office as well as the financial aid office for each campus.

Selective Service Registration
Male students who are 18 years old must be registered with selective service to receive federal aid. Registration forms are available at any post office or you may register online.

Financial Aid/Scholarship Fraud
Every year, millions of high school graduates seek creative ways to finance the rising costs of a college education. In the process, they sometimes fall prey to scholarship and financial aid scams. Congress has enacted the College Scholarship Fraud Prevention Act of 2000 (CSFPA). This CSFPA enhances protection against fraud in student financial assistance by establishing stricter sentencing guidelines for criminal financial aid fraud. It also charged the Department, working in conjunction with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), with implementing national awareness activities, including scholarship fraud awareness site.

According to the FTC, perpetrators of financial aid fraud often use these telltale lines:

• The scholarship is guaranteed or your money back.
• You can't get this information anywhere else.
• I just need your credit card or bank account number to hold this scholarship.
• We'll do all the work.
• The scholarship will cost some money.
• "You’ve been selected by a 'nation foundation' to receive a scholarship" or "You're a finalist," in a contest you never entered.

To file a complaint, or for free information, students or parents should call 1-877-382-4357.

Repaying Federal Student Loans
Information concerning the repayment of student loans is provided to students prior to graduating and upon withdrawal from the College through an "exit interview." These interviews can be completed on line or in person. Information that is provided at an exit interview includes, but is not limited to: consequences of default, importance of repayment, anticipated monthly repayment amount, review of repayment options, discussion of debt management strategies, review forbearance, deferment and cancellation options, information about NSLDS and the availability of the FSA Ombudsman’s office. The Ombudsman’s office is a resource for borrowers when other approaches to resolving student loan problems have failed. To reach the Ombudsman's office call 1-877-557-2575 or visit http://fsahelp.ed.gov.

To find out more about the terms and conditions under which you may receive deferments if you serve in the Peace Corps, under the Domestic Volunteer Service Act or as a volunteer for a tax-exempt organization, visit the federal student aid website.

To see all of your Federal Student Loans go to www.nslds.ed.gov

Financial Literacy

Hondros College believes that financial literacy is an essential part of planning and paying for postsecondary education. Everyone needs to understand the options with respect to the vast array of financial products, services, and providers to make sound financial decisions. Below are several websites that you can use to help you plan out your postsecondary education while maintaining your own personal fiscal health.

The U.S. Department of Education

Visit Site

Mapping Your Future

Mapping Your Future is a national collaborative, public-service, nonprofit organization providing career, college, financial aid, and financial literacy services for students, families, and schools.

Visit Site

Adventures in Education AIE

Adventures in Education AIE has college planning resources, financial aid information, career guidance, and money management tips to help families and students achieve their goals.

Visit Site

Tips for completing the FAFSA

If you apply online, your application will be processed faster and will likely be more accurate because your application will be processed on the FAFSA website to catch errors. The online application also provides worksheets that will calculate amounts and enter them into the field for you. You can save and continue the FAFSA at any time online and then sign your application electronically using a personal identification number (PIN) which you can get from the Federal Student Aid PIN website.

Making mistakes on your FAFSA could delay your application and possibly make you lose out on some financial aid. The most common errors people make are listed below. As you complete the FAFSA try to avoid these errors.

• Leaving blank fields–enter a '0' or 'not applicable' instead of leaving a blank. Too many blanks may cause miscalculations and an application rejection.  
• Using commas or decimal points in numeric fields–always round to the nearest dollar.  
• Listing incorrect Social Security Number or Driver's license number–check these entries and have someone else check them too. Triple check to be sure.  
• Entering the wrong federal income tax paid amount–obtain your federal income paid amount from your income tax return forms, not your W-2 form(s).  
• Listing Adjusted Gross Income as equal to total income–these are not the same figure. In most cases, the AGI is larger than the total income. This mistake is particularly common.  
• Listing marital status incorrectly–only write yes if you're currently married. If you're separated, you're considered married. They want to know what you're marital status is on the day you sign the FAFSA, or Renewal FAFSA.  
• Listing parent marital status incorrectly–the custodial parent's marital status is needed; if they've remarried, you'll need the stepparent's information too.  
• Leaving the question about drug-related offenses blank–If you're unsure about something, find out before you submit your FAFSA instead of leaving it blank. A conviction doesn't necessarily disqualify you from getting aid.  
• Forgetting to list the college–obtain the Federal School Code for the college you plan on attending and list it–along with any other schools to which you've applied.  
• Forgetting to sign and date–if you're filling out the paper FAFSA, be sure to sign it. If you're filing electronically, be sure to obtain your PIN from www.pin.ed.gov. Your PIN is your electronic signature and will always be assigned to you only.  
• Entering the wrong address–your permanent address is not your campus or summer address.  
• Sending in a copy of your income tax returns–you will be contacted if your information needs verification; you don't need to send a copy of your tax returns in with your application.

Additional Tips

Much of the financial information you need to provide is on your tax forms. Completing your taxes early can make the application process easier because you'll have the financial information you need in one place. You can estimate your financial information using previous tax years and correct the amounts on the form later by going to the corrections page on the FAFSA website. If you are not required to file taxes you still have to fill out a FAFSA to get financial aid.

Here is a list of materials that will help you complete the FAFSA:

• Your Social Security Number (can be found on Social Security card)
• Your driver's license (if any)
• Your W-2 Forms for the previous year and other records of money earned
• Your (and your spouse's, if you are married) most recent Federal Income Tax Return — IRS Form 1040, 1040A, 1040EZ, 1040Telefile, foreign tax return, or tax return for Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia
• Your parent's Federal Income Tax Return for the previous year (if you are a dependent student as defined by federal criteria)
• Your untaxed income records for the previous year — Social Security, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, welfare, or veterans benefits records
• Your current bank statements
• Your current business and investment mortgage information, business and farm records, stock, bond, and other investment records
• Documentation that you are a U.S. permanent resident or other eligible non-citizen.

Cost and Fees

A Hondros College School of Nursing education is very affordable. The pricing listed below is all inclusive for our direct cost of attendance for our programs. These costs are for tuition, related lab fees, books, supplies, and uniforms. The pricing does NOT include admission and enrollment fees, fees associated with taking the NCLEX exam or applicable state and county taxes. For a complete cost of attendance budget, please contact your Financial Aid Manager at the campus located nearest to you or please see our Student Consumer Handbook.

Licensed Practical Nurse Program (LPN)

Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)

All pricing is subject to change without prior notification. The pricing listed on the website is representative of current costs as of July 1, 2011. However, for a complete up-to-date budget, contact your Financial Aid Manager.

Click here to download complete costs associated with each program. LPN Program / ADN Program