Financial Aid

FINANCIAL AID INFORMATION

All adult students are encouraged to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine their eligibility for financial aid.  This free application is located online at https://studentaid.gov

If you are planning to attend school:

  • between July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024, complete the 23-24 FAFSA  application 
  • between July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025, complete the for 24-25 FAFSA application 

The 2024-25 FAFSA application is now open. Students and parents must have/create FAFSA accounts to access the application.  For any FAFSA application, you must include the school code for the institution you are planning to attend. Ben Franklin Career Center’s Code is 013732.  If you do not include our school code we will not be able to review your information to determine your financial aid eligibility.

Students and parents should use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (DRT) within the FAFSA to transfer income and tax information from their federal income tax return to the FAFSA. This simplifies the application process and allows some questions to be skipped. It can also reduce the chances that your FAFSA will be selected for information verification. This may be a requirement in the new application that opens in December.

Ben Franklin Career Center only participates in grant and scholarship programs that assist students in paying their cost of attendance.  We do not participate in any type of loan or work study programs.  Additional financial aid information is detailed in our Adult Student Handbook.

2024-2025 FAFSA APPLICATION ACCESS SITES

https://studentaid.gov/—Higher education portal that contains resources and information about paying for college. The site includes access to the FAFSA application, loan information, counseling, repayment, and other tools to help future, current, and former students access financial aid.

https://studentaid.gov/fafsa—Submit a FAFSA application or make corrections to a previously submitted application; get an online FAFSA Submission Summary; check status of an application.

https://studentaid.gov/aid-estimator/The Federal Student Aid Estimator can help applicants understand their options to pay for college or career school by providing an early estimate of the SAI and eligibility for federal student aid.

https://studentaid.gov/fsa-id/create-account/launch—Create an account username and password, which allows students, FAFSA contributors, and other borrowers access to the StudentAid.gov portal

 

Federal Financial Aid Website Video Links

Financial Aid Process Overview @ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUis5lityCQ

Completing the FAFSA @ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LK0bbu0y5AM

Creating a FSA ID @ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yj1Pn-shze8

Determining Dependency Status @ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dEbxaRjlLus

Understanding What Is Next @   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1c1gNefSw78

 

Financial Aid Programs

Pell Grant – is a federal grant program which is need-based (based on FAFSA) that does not have to be repaid provided the recipient completes their program of study and makes satisfactory progress.  Students in loan default status or who have completed a four year degree are not eligible for this program.  An applicant in default status may become eligible if the loan issues are resolved.

WV HEAPS Workforce – is a state funded program which is need-based (based on FAFSA) for eligible WV residents and may cover up to $2000 of the unmet cost of attendance.  This is a one-time opportunity for students.

Kanawha County Schools Employee/Employee Dependent Scholarship – is a scholarship for one half of tuition per enrollment period for Kanawha County School (KCS) employees or their direct dependents.  Dependents must be claimed on the KCS’s employee’s federal income tax return for the prior year, or employees must show custody and/or child support.  KCS employment may need to be documented.  

This scholarship does not apply to Commercial Driving or Phlebotomy.  

Other possible Financial Aid Resources – Veteran Affairs (VA) Benefits, WV Division of Rehabilitation, Worker’s Compensation, Department of Health and Human Services, Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), Trade Readjustment Allowances/Trade Adjustment Assistance (TRA/TAA), Job Corp.  Individuals must contact these agencies to apply and receive a determination of eligibility.  Proof of eligibility must be presented to the Financial Aid Counselor prior to the first day of classes.

If a student’s financial aid eligibility changes during the year due to unforeseen circumstances or if a student only qualifies for partial assistance; s/he will be responsible for paying the balance of the total program cost.

 

Full or Partial Self-Pay Students

A minimum of one-half of the total program cost is due on or before the first day of class. Phlebotomy students will be put on a monthly payment plan if qualified.  Verified financial aid will be taken into consideration as all or part of this payment depending on each student’s circumstance.  If needed, a payment schedule can be established for any remaining balance owed to the school.  Payments will be due on the first working day of each month.  Failure to make a payment may result in the student being excluded and/or terminated from their program of study. 

Note:  Any days missed due to nonpayment(s) will be counted in the attendance calculation for satisfactory progress.  Refer to program description for total number of allowable absences.  

Students with documented/verified outside assistance (such as Pell, Veteran’s, WIOA, Scholarships, Grants etc.) will not be penalized in any way for delayed payment by the awarding agency/institution.  Identified recipients will only be responsible for payment of the difference between program cost and the verified award.

Most 529 Plans can be used to pay a student’s cost of attendance.

 

VA Pending Payment Compliance

Despite any policy to the contrary, for any students 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 payment to the institution is pending from the VA, Ben Franklin will not:

• Prevent their 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 to the institution.

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).

If you need to speak directly with the Financial Aid Representative for Ben Franklin Career Center, Diann Clothier, you can call or visit between the hours of 9:00 and 1:00 on Thursdays in Portable D1. 304-766-0108 ext 117

 

 

   

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