New Mexico Junior College

• Citizens who desire a postsecondary education should have access to these educational opportunities at an affordable price.
• Students and their families are entitled to maximum predictability relating to the cost of attending college. Increases in tuition should be gradual and moderate.
• A reasonable and consistent share of the cost of public education should be shared by the state, local taxpayers, and the student.

• the mission and strategic plan of the college;
• the availability of state funding;
• the formula tuition credit rate and other state initiatives adopted by the legislature;
• the district’s contribution through local mill levy revenues;
• the tuition rates of other two-year institutions;
• the financial needs of the college, considering other revenue sources and unrestricted reserve balances; and
• the sources of need-based financial aid available to students for offsetting tuition increases. 

Adopted by the New Mexico Junior College Board on August 19, 1999. 

In-district Senior Citizen (Lea County Residents 55 years of age and older):  Tuition is waived; however, the appropriate fees will be charged.

Out-of-District Senior Citizen (65 & older): Tuition of $5.00 per credit hour for the first six hours will be charged and all fees will apply. Hours over six will be charged the regular rate. 

Out-of-State Senior Citizen (55 & older): Tuition and fees will be charged the normal rates with no discount. 

Students who find it necessary to withdraw or drop classes during the fall or spring semester must follow the correct procedure to have their tuition and fees refunded. Note the refund schedule is based on the first day of the semester, not on the initial class meeting.

Students are allowed 48 hours to pay for classes in full or set up a payment plan (through the Nelnet FACTS program). If payment arrangements are not made within 48 hours, the student’s course schedule will be dropped. This applies to all amounts including tuition and fees, housing, meal plans, bookstore charges, checks returned for insufficient funds, and charges for student violations or damages to NMJC property. 

Payment to the college may be made in full or in installments through the Nelnet FACTS online payment solution or in full at the NMJC Business Office. 

• The student may be withdrawn from all classes.
• The student may be removed from college housing.
• The student’s transcript will be placed on “hold” status.
• Legal collection action may be initiated.
• Prosecution, as provided under the New Mexico Worthless Check Act, may result.

FUTURE ENROLLMENT WILL BE DISALLOWED UNTIL ALL AMOUNTS OWED BY THE STUDENT ARE PAID IN FULL.

• Login, select the “Student” tab, and click on the link “Nelnet Portal: Payment Plan, Full Payment, or Refund”. 
• Review your term balance for accuracy, and then click on the “Sign up for a Payment Plan”.
• Select the appropriate term and click “Submit”.  You will then be led through the process of creating a Nelnet agreement. You will need to have the following information available:
  1. Nine digit Student ID (A#);
  2. The name, address, and e-mail address of the person responsible for making the payments
  3. Information to create your Nelnet Access Code; and
  4. Account information for the person responsible for payment.
  • If paying by automatic bank payments, you will need the bank name, telephone number, account number, and the bank routing number.  Most of the information is located on your check.
  • If paying by credit card, you will need the credit card number and expiration date. 

• Automatic Bank Payment (ACH) – ACH payments are those payments you have authorized Nelnet to process directly with your financial institution. It is simply a bank-to-bank transfer of funds that you have pre-approved for your expenses at New Mexico Junior College. Payments may be made from either your checking or savings account. If you choose the payment plan, payments are processed on the 5th of each month and will continue until the balance is paid in full.
• Credit Card Option – Many payers have requested the option of charging their tuition payment to their credit card. This enables them to take advantage of various bonus programs offered by their credit card company.

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• enrolled in an eligible program at an eligible institution;
  
• a citizen of the U.S. or an eligible non-citizen;
• hold a high-school diploma, General Educational Development (GED) certificate, or have completed a high school education in a homeschool setting approved under state law;
• have a valid Social Security number;
• maintain satisfactory academic progress standards as determined by the institution; and
• sign certification statements of educational purpose, refunds and defaults, faults, and updated information on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
  

Each year the U.S. Department of Education selects various financial aid applicants at New Mexico Junior College for a process called “Verification.” The Financial Aid Office is required to check the accuracy of information submitted on the financial aid applications (FAFSA) with the information contained in official documentation such as IRS tax transcripts, Social Security statements, statements regarding untaxed income, and other necessary documents. In addition to those students selected by the U.S. Department of Education, the NMJC Financial Aid Office reserves the right to select additional students for the process of verification at its discretion.

This discretionary selection may be generated randomly, due to conflicting information or due to concerns that data may not be accurate or complete. The following policies and procedures for verifying information contained in a student aid application are implemented in accordance with federal regulations: 34 CFR 668.53 General Provisions, Federal Register 10/31/89 Vol. 54, No. 209, p.45997 “Policies and Procedures,” and the Application and Verification Guide for Title IV Financial Aid Programs.

• The U.S. Department of Education will notify the student on their Student Aid Report.
• NMJC will provide emailed notification to the student identifying the documents required for the verification process. This notification will be sent to the student by the Financial Aid Office no later than three weeks from the time the Financial Aid Office receives official notification from the U.S. Department of Education that the student was selected.
• NMJC also provides secure 24-hour access to information showing verification document requests for each student through the T-Bird Web Portal.
• As a courtesy, NMJC’s Financial Aid Office may contact students using emails and letters to give updates on requested verification documents. However, NMJC will not send more than 12 emails /letters over a 12-week period.
• As a courtesy, NMJC’s Financial Aid Office may contact students by phone to encourage them to submit documents to complete the verification process.

Verification documentation should be submitted no later than 60 days prior to the planned term of enrollment. Submitting the required documents by the due date mentioned facilitates the college’s ability to verify all information in a timely manner, ensures that financial aid packages and reconciliation of funds are accurate, and ensures that financial aid is posted to the student’s account in a timely manner. Failure to submit the required documentation (or submit it in a timely manner) may delay or eliminate the disbursement of federal, state, and institutional financial aid funds.

The Financial Aid Office will notify the student if there is a need for further documentation to satisfy verification requirements. This notification will occur within two weeks of the initial review of submitted documentation by the Financial Aid Office. The student and/or parent(s) must respond within two weeks of the date of the notification. For information on the consequences of failing to provide the additional requested documentation, please refer to the Verification Policy section entitled “Loss of Aid Eligibility.”

Overpayments of federal and state aid, if they occur, are resolved when NMJC makes subsequent adjustments to the student’s account. If, in the event that an adjustment cannot be made by NMJC to the student’s account, NMJC will refer the overpayment to the proper federal and/or state agency.

• enrolled in an eligible program at an eligible institution;
• a citizen of the U.S. or an eligible non-citizen;
• hold a high-school diploma, General Educational Development GED certificate, or have completed a high school education in a homeschool setting approved under state law;
• have a valid Social Security number;
• maintain satisfactory academic progress standards as determined by the institution; and
  
• sign certification statements of educational purpose, refunds and defaults, faults, and updated information on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

If required, financial need for the campus-based programs (FSEOG, FWS, and Federal Direct Loans) is calculated by determining the student’s cost of education and subtracting the expected family contribution (EFC). For a complete list of eligibility requirements, click on the Who Gets Aid tab at: www.studentaid.gov

• Federal Pell Grant is available to eligible undergraduates who have not earned a bachelor’s or professional degree who demonstrate financial need. The Federal Pell Grant provides a ‘foundation’ for a student’s financial aid. Award amounts are based on the cost of attendance, the student’s EFC, and enrollment status.
• Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) is given to undergraduates with exceptional financial need (the lowest EFC) who are also Pell Grant recipients.
• New Mexico Student Incentive Grant (NMSIG) is designed for New Mexico residents who demonstrate substantial financial need. A student must be an undergraduate, be enrolled at least half-time, and their financial need must be greater than one-half of their cost of education.
• The New Mexico College Affordability Grant (NMCAG) is designed to encourage New Mexico students with financial need who do not qualify for other state grants or scholarships to attend and complete educational programs at a public New Mexico college or university. Students cannot receive an SSIG, SEOG, or NMCAG simultaneously. The FAFSA is the only application needed to apply for these grants. Students cannot receive an SSIG, SEOG, or NMCAG simultaneously. The FAFSA is the only application needed to apply for these grants.

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• Allied Health Student Loan for Service—available to New Mexico residents who are enrolled or accepted in an accredited program for allied health professions in the state of New Mexico. For more information please visit: http://www.hed.state.nm.us/students/alliedheatlh_lfs.aspx
• Federal Direct Loan—a variable interest loan made to students who are attending college at least half-time. The subsidized Federal Direct Loan amount is based on unmet financial need. The Federal Direct Loan amount is based on the student’s cost of education less other aid received. This loan must be repaid.
• Federal Plus Loan—enables parents to borrow money for a dependent student to help meet educational costs. Under this program, the student does not have to demonstrate need, but the borrower must undergo credit analysis for certification. The loan amount is based on the student’s cost of attendance less other aid received. Repayment of this loan begins within 60 days after the final loan disbursement unless a deferment is applicable. Deferments do not apply to interest.
• New Mexico Nursing Loan for Service—available to New Mexico residents enrolled in an accredited nursing program at a New Mexico post- secondary institution.  For more information please visit

  http://www.hed.state.nm.us/students/nursing_lfs.aspx

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• NMJC Foundation offers a variety of scholarships. The application and complete listing is available on the main website, www.nmjc.edu.
• New Mexico Legislative Endowment Scholarship is available to students with substantial financial need who are attending a postsecondary institution in New Mexico. Preference is given to returning adult students.
• New Mexico Legislative Lottery Scholarship is available to New Mexico resident students who enroll full-time in an eligible state-funded institution within 16 months following their high school graduation or certificate date of their GED. Students must meet eligibility requirements during their qualifying first semester. The scholarship will be awarded in the second semester and following semesters, for a total of three semesters at New Mexico Junior College. Eligibility requirements must be maintained to receive the scholarship. Students who maintain their eligibility for this scholarship and transfer to a four-year eligible institution may receive the scholarship for another four semesters.
• New Mexico 3% Scholarship Program (also referred to as the NMJC Honors/Bridge Scholarship) is available to incoming freshman students who are New Mexico residents, may provide a tuition waiver for eligible students, and is based on a student’s high school grade point average.

• Opportunity Scholarship is available to students who are NM residents enrolled in a 2-year program. Funds are awarded based on need and when combined with other state grants/scholarships cannot exceed tuition and fees.

• Teacher Preparation Affordability Scholarship is available to students who are NM residents enrolled in a teacher preparation program that leads to an educational credential to be licensed as a teacher by the public education department. Student must demonstrate need.

• Vietnam Veteran’s Scholarship is available to students who were honorable discharged from the armed forces and were awarded the Vietnam campaign medal for services. Eligible students must be a New Mexico resident at the original time of entry into the armed forces, or have lived in New Mexico for 10 years or more; and be enrolled at least half-time. Applicants must be certified by the New Mexico Department of Veteran’s Services (NMDVS) State Approving Agency.

• Wartime Scholarship is available to students who are NM residents and military war veterans. Eligible students must provide a certified copy of their DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, showing combat campaign or service medal and an honorable discharge.

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• Federal College Work-Study provides jobs for students in need of financial aid. The award amount is based on the student’s unmet need and must be earned through employment. The student will earn the current minimum wage, and work hours will normally not exceed 20 hours per week.
• New Mexico Work-Study Program is designed primarily for New Mexico residents who demonstrate financial need.
• Institutional Work-Study Program provides opportunities for part-time employment for students on campus. This award is not based on need.
• Edith Search Work-Study is funded by the New Mexico Junior College Foundation. This award is not based on need; however, the student must be a graduate of a NMJC district high school.

NMJC is approved by the New Mexico Department of Veterans' Services State Approving Agency (GI Bill®). Most NMJC course offerings are approved and meet veteran’s educational assistance criteria under federal and state laws. Tuition waivers are available for students who qualify for in-state tuition from out-of-state status under the various federal programs and state legislative action. For specific information, contact the NMJC Registrar Assistant.

The Office of Financial Aid of New Mexico Junior College (NMJC) administers student financial aid programs from federal and state sources.  The U.S. Department of Education (DOE) requires schools to develop and implement policies by which academic progress is evaluated and monitored for all students, even those who did not receive financial aid in prior terms of enrollment.  Students must meet Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements to receive Federal Title IV aid that includes Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, Federal Work Study, and Federal Direct Education Loans (Stafford and Parent PLUS).  NMJC also applies the SAP requirements to monitor eligibility for state aid such as Student Incentive Grant, Lottery Scholarship, New Mexico Work Study, College Affordability Grant, Legislative Endowment, and New Mexico Scholars.

This policy describes the Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements and is in addition to and operates separately from the Academic Satisfactory Progress requirements for each academic program and department/division.

To review the detailed Financial Aid SAP Policies and Procedures, please see the Financial Aid Policies and Procedures Manual available on the NMJC website or a copy can be requested from the Office of Financial Aid. 

Student Classification	Required Minimum Cumulative GPA for Program
Freshman 0-29 credit hours earned	2.0
Sophomore 30 plus hours earned	2.0

Remedial & ESL Courses:Remedial and ESL courses are included in the quantitative, qualitative, and timeframe measures.

Change in Major /Additional Degrees - When a student changes their major or seeks an additional degree causing the student to reach Maximum Timeframe, the student may appeal to the Office of Financial Aid to have courses attempted and earned that do not count toward the student’s new major or degree excluded from the maximum time frame calculation for SAP.