FINANCIAL AID

Financial Aid Application Process

Students may apply for federal, state, and institutional financial aid by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

The FAFSA is completed online at https://studentaid.gov and is always free. If any website asks for payment to complete the FAFSA, please contact the Financial Aid Office at Morton College to ensure you are using the correct site.

 

Before completing the FAFSA, students must create an FSA ID at https://studentaid.gov/fsa-id. The FSA ID is a username and password used to access federal student aid systems and serves as your legal signature. If parental information is required, the parent must also create an FSA ID.

 

Be sure to list Morton College’s Federal School Code: 001728 on your FAFSA.

Students are encouraged to complete the FAFSA beginning October 1 of the year prior to enrollment. While the Financial Aid Office processes applications year-round, some grant funds are limited and awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

 

After submitting the FAFSA, students must complete all required documentation and meet deadlines for financial aid to be processed. Students should regularly check their Morton College email and Financial Aid Self-Service portal for updates and additional requests.

Student Eligibility

• To receive financial aid from any of the federal or state programs, you must meet all of the following criteria:
• Demonstrate financial need (for most programs)
• Be a U.S. citizen or an eligible noncitizen
• Have a valid Social Security number (with the exception of students from the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, or the Republic of Palau)
• Be registered with Selective Service, if you’re a male (you must register between the ages of 18 and 25)
• Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a regular student in an eligible degree or certificate program
• Be enrolled at least half-time to be eligible for Direct Loan Program funds
• Maintain satisfactory academic progress in college or career school

• Sign the certification statement on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form stating that:

• you are not in default on a federal student loan
• you do not owe money on a federal student grant; and
• you will use federal student aid only for educational purposes; and
• you're qualified to obtain a college or career school education by having a high school diploma or a recognized equivalent such as a General Educational Development (GED) certificate;
• completing a high school education in a homeschool setting approved under state law (or—if
  state law does not require a homeschooled student to obtain a completion credential—
  completing a high school education in a homeschool setting that qualifies as an exemption from
  compulsory attendance requirements under state law); or
• Additional eligibility requirements can apply in certain situations including for non-U.S. citizens,
  students with criminal convictions, and students with intellectual disabilities.

 

Financial Aid Programs at Morton College

Morton College is dedicated in helping students and veterans obtain financial aid and educational benefits through a variety of programs offered by the U.S. Department of Education, Department of Veterans Affairs and Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC). Students using a combination of state and federal benefits should consult with the Financial Aid Office to determine the best way to utilize their benefits. Our institution is approved to process the following financial aid and educational benefits for qualifying students:

Federal Pell Grant — A Federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, does not have to be repaid. Pell Grants are awarded only to undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor’s or professional degree. Pell Grants provide a foundation of financial aid to which other aid may be added.

Federal Work-Study Program —  The Federal Work-Study Program provides on and off-campus jobs for students needing financial aid for their educational expenses. The program encourages community service work and work related to the student’s course of study. Students must be enrolled half-time to be eligible. 

Federal Direct Loan Program — Students can receive low interest loans from the Department of Education to help pay for educational expenses not covered by grants or scholarships. Contact the Financial Aid Office for more information on how to apply. Students must be enrolled half-time to be eligible.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) — The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) program is for undergraduates with exceptional financial need. Pell Grant recipients with the lowest Expected Family Contribution (EFC) will be considered first for a FSEOG. Just like Pell Grants, the FSEOG does not have to be repaid. Students must be enrolled halftime to be eligible.

The Monetary Award Program (MAP) EST. - MAP grants, EST, which do not need to be repaid, are available to eligible Illinois residents who attend approved Illinois colleges and demonstrate financial need, based on the information provided on the FAFSA. The MAP grant does not cover audited courses, non-credit courses, continuing education courses and lab-course fees. Students must take a minimum of 3 credit hours to qualify for this grant. Funding for the MAP grant is limited. Students are encouraged to apply early for this grant to ensure full-year consideration.  

Scholarship Opportunities — Morton College offers prospective and current students the opportunity to apply for scholarships. There are many scholarships available with various qualifications. Updated lists of available scholarships are released throughout the year. Please check the Morton College website for more information.

 

 

Veterans Educational Benefits

Morton College is dedicated in helping veterans obtain educational benefits through a variety of programs offered by the Department of Veterans Affairs and Illinois Student Assistance Commission
(ISAC). ISAC offers the Illinois Veterans Grant (IVG), Illinois National Guard (ING), and Missing in Action/Prisoners of War (MIA/POW). These grants offer tuition payments to state universities and public community colleges in Illinois.

The Montgomery GI Bill® offers a combination of educational stipends under Chapter 30, 35, and 1606. While Post 9/11 also known as Chapter 33 offers tuition payments, books and monthly housing allowance. 

 

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S government Website at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill

Students using a combination of state and federal benefits should consult with the Financial Aid Office to determine the best way to utilize their benefits. Our institution is approved to process the following educational benefits for qualifying students:

Illinois Veterans’ Grant (IVG) is a grant that pays tuition and allowable fees to anyone who has servedat least one year of federal active duty honorably in the U.S. Armed Forces or who is serving in the Armed Forces. Recipients may use IVG for a maximum of 120 eligibility units which is the equivalent of four academic years of full-time enrollment. The IVG application is available online. For more information regarding eligibility and application process visit www.isac.org. 

Illinois National Guard grant (ING) - is a grant that can pay for eligible tuition and certain fees at Illinois 2- or 4-year public colleges. Qualified applicants must be an Illinois National Guard member and completed one full year of service in the Illinois National Guard. Recipients who have completed less than 10 years of active duty ING service may receive up to 120 eligibility units which are equivalent to 4 academic years of full-time enrollment. Recipients who have completed 10 years or more, may receive 180 eligibility units. Eligibility must be renewed each academic year. For more information regarding eligibility and application process visit www.isac.org.  

Deceased, Disabled, and MIA/POW Scholarship- is an education scholarship for the dependents of veterans who are either Missing in Action, a Prisoner of War, died while on active duty, 100% disabled due to service connected disabilities or died as a result. An eligible dependent is entitled to full payment of tuition and mandatory fees to any Illinois state college or university for the equivalent to 4 years of enrollment. For more information regarding eligibility and application process visit https://veterans.illinois.gov

Post 9/11 GI Bill™ (Chapter 33) – is an education program that helps pay for school if you served on active duty after September 10, 2001.  This program pays directly to the school for students’ tuition and fees up to the predetermined percentage of eligibility established by the Department of Veterans Affairs. If your service ended before 1/1/2013, benefits expire 15 years after your last separation date from active service. If your service ended on or after 1/1/2013, your benefits won’t expire due to the Forever GI Bill-Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act.  For more information regarding eligibility and application process visit www.va.gov. 

Montgomery GI Bill® Active Duty(MGIB-AD)—is an education program that can help pay for education and training programs. It provides a monthly payment to the veteran directly. For more information regarding eligibility and application process visit www.va.gov.  

Montgomery GI Bill® Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR)—is an education program that offers up to 36 months of benefits to members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps or Coast Guard Reserve, Army National Guard, or Air National Guard.  Receive a monthly payment directly. For more information regarding eligibility and application process visit www.va.gov.  

Veteran Readiness and Employment [VR&E] (Chapter 31)—is a program that helps explore employment options and address education needs for those who have a service-connected disability that limits your ability to work. For more information regarding eligibility and application process visit www.va.gov. 

Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance [DEA] (Chapter 35)—if a Veteran or service member died, was captured or missing, or is permanently and totally disabled due to a service connected disability, your child or spouse may be eligible for this program. If eligible, the dependent would be eligible for monthly payments. For more information regarding eligibility and application process visit www.va.gov.   

Federal Tuition Assistance- a Department of Defense (DoD) program that provides financial assistance for voluntary, off duty education to eligible soldiers. If eligible, it covers 100% of tuition only. For more information, soldiers should contact their local Education Services Officer.   

VA Pending Payment Compliance

Beginning August 1, 2019 and despite any policy to the contrary, Morton College will not take any of the four following actions toward any student using U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Post 9/11 G.I. Bill® (Ch. 33) or Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Ch. 31) benefits, while their payment from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs is pending: 

• Prevent enrollment;

• Assess a late penalty fee to;
• Require they secure alternative or additional funding;
• Deny their access to any resources (access to classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities) available to other students who have satisfied their tuition and fee bills.

However, to qualify for this provision, such students may be required to:

• Produce the VA’s Certificate of Eligibility by the first day of class;
• Provide written request to be certified;
• Provide additional information needed to properly certify the enrollment as described in other institutional policies (see our VA School Certifying Official for all requirements).

 

Federal Return of Title IV Funds

Students who withdraw from coursework in a semester may be required to return a portion of the federal financial aid that had been applied to their account. The final amount of financial aid earned will be based on the period of time the student participated during the semester. 
 
Students receiving federal funds who fully withdraw, either officially or unofficially, before the conclusion of the semester, are subject to a “Return of Title IV Aid” calculation established by the federal government. This calculation determines the portion of federal funds that were earned by the student up to the time of withdrawal. The withdrawal date (last date of attendance) will be determined by official withdrawal from classes by the student, or as reported by the instructor in cases of unofficial withdrawal. 
 
If the student withdraws beyond the 60% point in the semester, they are considered to have earned 100% of the federal financial aid they were scheduled to receive. Students enrolled in classes that do not span the entire semester are considered withdrawn if, at the time of the withdrawal, they are not actively attending another class and have not provided written confirmation of anticipated return in the semester for a late start class. Federal financial aid disbursed more than the earned amount must be returned to the federal government.  
 
The college will perform the “Return of Title IV Aid” calculation within 30 days of the date of determination that a student has completely withdrawn and return any unearned federal funds it is responsible for returning within 45 days of the date the school determined the student withdrew. If the student previously received a refund from financial aid, which was to be used for education-related personal or housing expenses, they may be required to return a portion of those funds to the college. When the college returns a student’s unearned funds to the government, they will be billed for any balance due for any unearned refunds received or institutional charges that are now unpaid because of the return of federal funds. 
 
If it is determined through a “Return of Title IV Aid” calculation that the Federal financial aid already disbursed to the student is less than the earned amount, the school will generate a post-withdrawal disbursement to the student no later than 45 days after the date of the school’s determination that the student withdrew. Funds returned to the federal government based on the “Return of Title IV” Aid calculation referenced above, reduce the outstanding balances in individual federal aid programs. 

Federal financial aid returned by the student, the parent, or the college, are allocated in the following order: 

1. Federal Unsubsidized Direct Loan 
2. Federal Subsidized Direct Loan 
3. Federal Direct Parent Loan (PLUS) 
4. Federal Pell Grant 
5. Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG) 
6. TEACH Grant 
 
If financial aid is awarded after the conclusion of the semester, federal aid is awarded based on the courses completed for that semester. Students receiving Federal financial aid and considering withdrawing from registered coursework are encouraged to make an appointment with a Financial Aid Assistant to examine the implications to their financial aid. 
 

Satisfactory Academic Progress Requirements

Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy

 
Postsecondary education institutions are required by title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, amended (HEA), to establish, publish, and consistently apply reasonable satisfactory academic progress standards to all attending students. An institution’s standards are considered reasonable if they are in accordance with the satisfactory academic progress federal regulations. Failure to comply with those rules can bar a school and its students from receiving federal financial aid funds. New federal regulations (34 CFR 668.34) stipulate nationally consistent terminology and tighter controls for measuring the satisfactory academic progress (SAP) for the eligibility of students to receive federal financial aid.

All students at Morton College (MC) who receive federal financial aid must make Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) toward completion of their degrees/certificates at the end of each period of enrollment. 

This policy applies to the Federal Pell Grant, Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG), Work Study, Direct Loans, Stafford Loan, Parent Plus Loans, Illinois Monetary Award Program (MAP), and military Veterans’ benefits. (Please note: State Military Programs are subjected to the GPA portion of this policy)

The U.S. Department of Education requires a policy to use both the qualitative (GPA) and quantitative (Completion Percentage) criteria when measuring SAP. 

MC reviews SAP at the end of each payment period and has approved the following standards defining SAP in accordance with regulations issued by the U.S. Department of Education. 

SAP Standards: 

1. Cumulative GPA is a minimum 2.00 or higher and;
2. Cumulative completion rate is a minimum 67% or higher and;
3. Completion of program within 150 percent maximum timeframe allowed. 

SAP Statuses

The following are various types of SAP statuses assigned to students applying and receiving Title IV funding.  All courses earned at MC and transferred into a student’s program are used when determining SAP statuses, including credits earned while not receiving Title IV funding. 

Eligible SAP Statuses: 

 

1. Satisfactory is assigned to students who are meeting the following criteria:
a) Cumulative GPA is a minimum 2.00 or higher and;
b) Cumulative completion rate is a minimum of 67% or higher and;
c) Completion of program is scheduled to occur within 150 percent maximum timeframe allowed.

2. Warning -When students do not meet the cumulative GPA and/or completion
percentage requirement(s) portions of SAP standards, they are placed on warning
and notified accordingly. Students remain on warning until the next time SAP is
reviewed; which is the next payment period. During the warning period, students
remain eligible for federal financial aid for one payment period only. 

Eligible SAP Statuses with Conditions: 

1. Probation - Assigned to students who are within one term of meeting SAP standards.  Students, who have appealed and are approved, and placed on probation, and are eligible for Title IV funds, must meet SAP standards at the end of the subsequent payment period. 

2. Academic Plans - Are developed for students that, if followed, will ensure the students are able to meet SAP standards by a specific time period.  Plans are created to address students who are affected by GPA, rate of completion, or both.  Students who agree and continue to meet plan requirements are eligible for Title IV funds.  If at any time while on the plan, the students do not meet the conditions at the end of a payment period, they return to the termination status (ineligible status).

All students deem unsatisfactory at the end each payment period must submit a new SAP Appeal to be considered for financial aid the following semester.   

a. GPA Plans - To qualify, students must have a completion rate of 67% and have a cumulative GPA less than a 2.00.  This plan is structured to assist students with raising their cumulative GPA to a minimum of a 2.00 while  maintaining their completion rate of 67%. 

b. Pace Plans - To qualify, students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00 and have a completion rate less than 67%.  This plan is structured to assist students with raising their completion rate while maintaining a  cumulative GPA of 2.00. 

c. Pace/GPA Plans - To qualify, students must have a completion rate less than 67% and a cumulative GPA less than 2.00. This plan is structured to assist students with raising their completion rate and cumulative GPA of 2.00 to  meet SAP standards. 

d. Customized Plans – In rare cases the committee may assign a customized plan to a student.  This plan is structured to assist students with raising their completion rate and GPA, or extending beyond the 150 maximum  timeframe.

Examples of elements a school may consider in a student’s academic plan include, but are not limited to:

• Registering for fewer credit hours during each enrollment period under the plan;
• Stipulating enrollment in only certain courses and demonstrating academic success in each of those courses toward degree completion;
• A mathematical calculation specifying the percentage of coursework the student must complete;
• Achieving a minimum GPA at the conclusion of the probationary periods (such as a term-specific GPA that would at least indicate an upward movement from a very low cumulative GPA); or
• Achieving minimum grades (not just GPA, but course-specific grades) during each payment period under the plan.

If the school determines at any time that the student is not following the academic plan, the student is immediately ineligible for Title IV aid. To remain eligible, such a student would need to submit another appeal and have it approved based on the student’s updated circumstances.  Some possible reasons an academic plan could be voided by a school include:

• A student changes their major, at which point the previous plan is voided since it pertained to the major at the time of the appeal;
• If a student violates the academic plan as defined and agreed upon for any reason; or
• If a student does not enroll for the payment period the academic plan was designed to cover.

Ineligible SAP Statuses 

1. Termination – The second term following Warning status that students did not meet one/all of the criteria below, they are ineligible for federal financial aid, and are notified accordingly. Students have the option to appeal their termination status. 
a. Cumulative GPA is less than 2.00 and/or; 
b. Cumulative completion rate is less than 67% 

2. Maximum Timeframe Completion - Each payment period SAP will be calculated to see if it is mathematically possible for students to complete their program and graduate within the maximum timeframe allowed.  If at any point it is determined that the students cannot complete their program (i.e. graduate) within the maximum timeframe, that students become ineligible for Title IV aid. No warning or probation period is allowed. 
The maximum timeframe for the completion of a degree/certificate program is defined as no more than 150 percent of the normal timeframe required to complete the degree program.  For an undergraduate program, this is measured in credit hours. For example, a normal two-year degree program requires 62 credits to complete (graduate).  Students must complete the degree within 93 hours in order to remain eligible for Title IV funding. 

Please Note: Coursework that transfers into an eligible program will be included in a student’s credit hours attempted and completed. 
Students can appeal maximum timeframe. 

Students who previously were on Warning, Probation, Termination, or an Academic Plan status will return back to a SATISFACTORY status if the following conditions are met: 

1. Cumulative GPA equals 2.00 or higher and;
2. Cumulative Completion Rate equals 67% or higher and;
3. Completion of program is scheduled to occur within 150 percent maximum timeframe allowed. 

The following categories will be calculated as follows: 

Course Repeats 

1. Students are only allowed to repeat courses to replace previously passed courses one (1) time and receive Title IV funds.  When evaluating SAP, the highest attempt will be calculated in the student’s GPA.  All attempts will be considered for PACE and are included in the attempted and completed (if applicable) credits.  This repeat policy applies to all courses whether or not financial aid was utilized. 

2. Students may be paid for repeatedly failing the same course (normal SAP policy still applies to such cases). If students withdraw before completing the course that they are being paid Title IV funds for retaking, the course is not  counted as their one allowed retake for that course. However, if students passed a class once and are repaid for retaking it but fail the second time, the failure counts as their paid retake and they may not be paid for retaking the  class a third time. Please Note: Final grades of “D” are considered passing at MC.

Courses That Were Academically Forgiven  

Schools are not allowed to ignore hours attempted, hours completed or earned grades on coursework applicable to the student’s program of study from previously enrolled periods.  All courses will be included in the GPA, attempted, and completed SAP calculations. 

Incomplete Grades 

When students do not complete all course requirements by the end of their enrollment payment periods, some instructors may assign a temporary grade of (I) for incomplete. In these cases, instructors assign traditional grades after the students complete the course requirements. Incomplete grades may inaccurately reflect a students’ GPA and/or pace.  
Incomplete grades are not considered passing grades and will be counted in the SAP calculations for attempted credits as unsuccessful completion. However, these grades will not affect a students’ GPA until the final grade is recorded.  The students’ SAP will be updated and recalculated to include the new grade the next time an official SAP calculation occurs.  SAP calculations are not allowed to be recalculated unless an error has occurred during the grading process.  In such events a recalculation will be performed.  If the new calculation makes the students ineligible for Title IV funds and aid has been disbursed; the students will be responsible for all aid and balances incurred.  All future disbursements will be cancelled.

Transfer Credits 

All transfer credits accepted into the college from another institution will be counted in both attempted and completed calculations in a student's SAP evaluation.  Students can request a max timeframe/second degree review by completing an appeal to have their credits evaluated to only use the credits applicable to their program of study to be counted in their calculation.

Grade Changes 

When a grade change occurs, the Registrar will notify the Financial Aid office of such change.  The students’ SAP will be updated and recalculated to reflect the changed grade for that term with a SAP Calculation.  SAP calculations are not allowed to be recalculated unless an error has occurred during the grading process.  In such events a recalculation will be performed.  If the new calculation makes the students ineligible for Title IV funds and aid has been disbursed; the students will be responsible for all aid and balances incurred.  All future disbursements will be cancelled.

Audit Courses 

Audited classes are not considered "financial aid eligible"; therefore, they count neither as hours attempted or completed. 

Remedial Courses 

Remedial coursework is considered "financial aid eligible"; therefore, they are counted as attempted and completed hours for Pace of Completion.  However, remedial courses are NOT included in the students’ GPA whether they are completed successfully or unsuccessfully.  They are graded as “Pass” or “Fail” and hold no numeric value.

Students are limited to 30 credit hours attempted for remedial and prerequisites courses.

Consortium Agreements 

Students coursework earned at MC on a Consortium agreement will be evaluated using this SAP policy.    

Second Degrees/Certificates (SAP Reset) 

Students seeking consecutive degrees/certificates are monitored like any other students under this policy. A new SAP calculation is performed for the new program of study to determine eligibility. Any credits earned at MC from prior program that meet requirements in the new program will be counted in the students’ GPA, attempted and completed credit hours.   Any transfer hours that meet requirements in the new program will be treated as transfer credits.  

SAP resets are granted to students who have completed a program and/or pursing a new program.  Please Note:  Students must change their major with the Office of Registration and Records and have a transcript evaluation performed to be considered.  We encourage students to submit the evaluation request 30 days prior to changing your major.

Appeal Procedures 

Students not meeting SAP requirements have the option to appeal their termination status of financial aid.  The following categories are appealable: Grade Point Average, Pace of Completion, and Maximum Timeframe.

Appeals are reviewed at least once per month by a committee composed of various employees of the college. It is the responsibility of the students to initiate any appeal.  Students must submit their appeal between the dates noted on the appeal form in order to be considered for the appropriate term.    Removal of an academic restriction by Admissions, Registration, Counseling & Career Development, Student Success Coach,  or another MC office does not constitute reinstatement of federal aid eligibility.  

Appeals are based on a documentable extenuating circumstance impacting academic performance. Extenuating circumstances are considered to be past events that are no longer barriers to prevent academic progress. The appeal application must support how the student is now in a position to be academically successful.  Appeals should include all documentation required to be reviewed.  Failing to submit all documents will automatically deny your appeal.  You may resubmit your appeal (if within appeal deadline dates) if denied due to missing documents.  However, the appeal will not be escalated.  Also, all appeals are reviewed in the order they are received.

Appeals will not be granted for the repeated circumstances.  For example, an appeal can be granted due to a medical issue (back surgery in 2020) placing the students on probation or an academic plan.  If students are placed on termination again, the same medical issue (back surgery in 2020) cannot be used as the basis for the appeal.  The latter appeal must be based on a reason different from the first appeal. 

Please Note: Sitting out for an enrollment period(s) is not sufficient to re-establish eligibility for Title IV aid. 
  
Examples of extenuating circumstances to be considered for appeal: 
1. Serious illness or injury to student or immediate family member (where you had to provide care) that required extended recovery time;
2. Death of an immediate family member;
3. Significant trauma in students’ life that impaired the students’ emotional and/or physical health;
4. Withdrawal due to military service;
5. Second degree or certificate;
6. Change of major;
7. Other unexpected circumstances beyond the control of the student  

For this purpose, immediate family member is defined as (parent, spouse, sibling, child, and grandparent (step or in-law respectively).

Completed appeals should be submitted through a Student Success Coach.  The appeals will be documented in the system as received, prepared, and routed to the appeals committee.

Students are not contacted during the appeal process. The only communication received will be the final decision notification letter.

Notifications to Students 

Students receive the following notifications: 

• Warning Letter

o Warning letters alert students that although they remain eligible for Title IV funding, they must return back to a satisfactory status at the end of the next payment period enrolled. 

• Termination 

o Termination letters notify students that they are no longer eligible for Title IV funding as well as offer guidelines how to regain Title IV funding. 

• Warning Maximum Time

o Warning maximum timeframe letters warn students who are at or reaching 120 percent maximum timeframe to meet with a Student Success Coach to determine how many credits remain to complete their program.  This notice also alerts students that they must complete their program within 150 percent maximum timeframe. 

• Maximum Time 

o Maximum timeframe letters notify students that they are no longer eligible to receive Title IV funding because they weren’t able to complete their program within 150 percent timeframe allowed.