FAFSA VERIFICATION PROCESS

After filling out your FAFSA, what’s next?

Check the Financial Aid System and your student email in the Bruin Portal frequently!

After the FAFSA application is submitted online, allow three to five business days for the form to be received electronically by the Financial Aid Office. Students should receive a “First Contact” email sent to the email address provided on the FAFSA, and a Welcome Letter will be sent in the mail with instructions on how to access the Financial Aid System through the Bruin Portal.

For this process, there may additional documentation requested for review by the Financial Aid Office to verify the data that was entered on the FAFSA application. Students may be asked to provide copies of documentation, including but not limited to:

• High school diploma
• Income tax returns
• W-2 statements and 1099 forms
• Verification forms

Print all requested forms from the Bruin Portal, complete and submit to:

KCC Financial Aid Office
450 North Avenue
Battle Creek, MI 49001

Email: finaid@kellogg.edu
Phone: 269-965-4123
Fax: 269-966-4089

Privacy & Confidentiality

All paperwork submitted to the Financial Aid Office is held in strict confidence under the guidelines of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Required personal documentation must be maintained in the student files due to federal regulations. Students should retain a copy of all documents for their records. Click here for more information about FERPA.

Unusual Enrollment History

Students who have attended multiple schools over the last four years and received federal aid may become ineligible for federal student aid based on their enrollment history. Students with an unusual enrollment history may have legitimate reasons for their enrollment at multiple institutions, however, such an enrollment history requires administrative review to determine if there are valid reasons.

Students with unusual enrollment history will be notified within their Bruin Portal’s Financial Aid Self-Service link and should contact the Financial Aid Office at 269-965-4123 for next steps.

Defaults, Overawards & Overborrowing

Any student applying for Title IV funds must not be in default on any FSA loan, must not owe an overpayment on any FSA grant and must not have inadvertently exceeded an annual or aggregate loan limit. Students in default on an FSA loan, in overpayment on a FSA grant or who have exceeded an annual or aggregate loan limit will be notified within their Bruin Portal’s Financial Aid Self-Service link and should contact the Financial Aid Office at 269-965-4123 for more information on how to resolve their default, overpayment or inadvertent overborrowing status.

Award & No Need Letters

Processing time is approximately one to two weeks after all required or requested documents are submitted. When processing is complete, an email notification is sent which will indicate that a Financial Aid Offer Letter is Available! Student Award/Offer letters can be found in the Bruin Portal within the Financial Aid Self-Service link.

Award Letters

Your award letter may show a restricted or ineligible award. This means that you have an award (a scholarship, for example) that requires certain criteria to be met, Satisfactory Academic Progress or full-time enrollment. If you are meeting the eligibility requirements, you will see this status removed once your award has disbursed.

No Need Letters

Students ineligible for the federal Pell Grant will receive an email with the subject “No Need Letter” indicating that there is no eligibility to receive the Pell Grant and suggesting the option to request federal student loans.

Award Notification

All students receiving financial aid awards are notified via email to their KCC student account. The email contains the following information:

• Student’s annual cost of attendance
• Total expected family contribution
• Student’s unmet financial need
• Name of award program
• Amount of award for each semester
• Total amount of award for the academic year
• Annual federal Pell Grant entitlement figures for full-time enrollment (remember that Pell amounts are adjusted based on enrollment levels)

A student’s total award package may not exceed the individual student’s financial need. Financial need is calculated by subtracting the Total Expected Family Contribution from the Student’s Annual Cost of Attendance.

Award notifications should be reviewed carefully by the student. To decline an award or reduce a loan amount, email our office at finaid@kellogg.edu.

To receive disbursements for a William D. Ford Federal Direct Subsidized or Unsubsidized Loan, a first-time borrower must complete and submit an online master promissory note with the Department of Education. The student must also complete Loan Entrance Counseling.

Unless the office is notified to reduce or cancel awards, it is assumed that all awards are accepted by the student.

Financial Aid Postponed Payment Plan

All students MUST sign up with a payment plan within 24 hours after registering for classes. Students with financial aid on their account (Pell Grant, scholarships or loans, for example) can utilize Nelnet’s Postponed Payment Plan. Nelnet’s Postponed Payment Plan waives the $30 nonrefundable fee and any immediate down payment towards classes. Any bill remaining during the semester will be split into two payments at the last two months of the semester.
For more information about the payment plan, contact the Business Office at 269-965-4140.

Availability of Funds

Program funding may limit but not guarantee awarding to students who meet established deadlines and awarding criteria. See KCC’s Financial Aid Packaging Policy for more information.

Cost of Attendance

The Cost of Attendance (COA) at Kellogg Community College is comprised of several components and based on residency status and enrollment status. COA includes tuition/fees, books, living expenses, travel and personal expenses.

Estimated financial aid budgets for a full-time student are computed for a full year, based on an average of 32 credits per year.

Additional components may be included in the total budget (William D. Ford Direct Loan fees and/or additional program costs, for example). The added costs will depend on the individual student’s circumstances.