FINANCIAL AID REQUIREMENTS

• Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Make sure to release your FAFSA information to Rend Lake College. The school code for Rend Lake College is 007119. The online application is available at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov. You can also obtain a paper application by calling 1-800-433-3243.
  
• You must be pursuing a degree or certificate program. Degree programs include Associate of Arts, Associate in Science, and Associate in Applied Science Degrees and the one year Occupational Certificates. The following level classes are not eligible for financial aid: 1600, 1700, 1800, and 1900 level as well as all COMED classes. Short term training programs such as Truck Driving and Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) are not eligible. Check with the office of Financial Aid and Veterans Affairs if you are unsure if your program of study will be covered under financial aid.
  
• If you are a male who is at least 18 years of age and born after December 31, 1959, you must be registered with Selective Service in order to receive financial aid. If you believe that you are not required to be registered, call the Selective Service office at 1-847-688-6888 for information regarding exemption.
  
• You must submit your high school transcript which indicates your graduation date, or a copy of your passing test scores from the GED to the Student Records Office. If you do not have a high school diploma or GED you must take the ASSET or COMPASS test (administered on campus by the RLC Counseling Department) and meet the minimum passing scores for financial aid eligibility. (Minimum test scores for the ASSET are: Writing Skills, 35; Reading Skills, 35; and Numerical Skills, 33. The minimum test scores for the COMPASS are: Writing Skills, 32; Reading, 62; and Pre-Algebra, 25.)
  
• You must provide any documentation requested by the Financial Aid Office, including tax forms, if needed to complete verification.
  
• Must be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen.
  
• Not in default on student loans or owe a refund on any Title IV funds.
  
• Use all funds received from Title IV financial aid programs for expenses related to study at Rend Lake College.
  
• A change in enrollment may affect your financial aid. It is the student's responsibility to notify the Office of Financial Aid and Veterans' Affairs when any schedule changes are made including withdrawal from classes.
  
• You must be enrolled in eligible courses. The amount of aid a student is eligible to receive is adjusted for different enrollment statuses.
  • Full-time = 12 or more credit hours
  • Three-quarter time = 9-11 credit hours
  • Half-time = 6-8 credit hours
  • Part-time = 3-5 credit hours

SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES

Eligibility to receive financial assistance is based on the previous year's income data. However, if your family's financial situation has recently changed for the worse because of a death, separation/divorce, or a loss of a job or benefits, you may meet one of the "Special Circumstances" that will allow financial aid eligibility to be based on expected gross income rather than actual prior-year income information. If you feel you may meet one of these special circumstances, you should contact the Financial Aid Office.