Financial Aid

Third Floor, Allison Administration Building, Room 309
(P) 803.786.3612, (F) 803.786.3560

The Office of Financial Aid is dedicated to helping students and their families make attendance at Columbia College an academic and financial reality through financial aid planning. There are many different sources of financial aid available to qualified students. It is best to submit all required forms as soon as possible because most aid is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis for qualified applicants. The Office of Financial Aid awards aid to qualified applicants regardless of race, religious creed, place of national origin, ethnic group, or physical disability.

Financial Aid Application

In accordance with federal regulations, applicants are required to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This form will determine how much the family or student is expected to contribute to the educational costs for the academic year. It is a fair and equitable system of establishing how much aid each student needs. By completing the FAFSA, a student applies for federal, state, and institutional aid. The FAFSA or the Renewal FAFSA has to be filed each year to apply or reapply for assistance for the upcoming academic year. The FAFSA is usually available October 1st at www.FAFSA.gov. The 2025-2026 FAFSA will be available Decemebr 1, 2024.

The priority deadline for completion of the FAFSA is March 15th, but students are encouraged to apply for financial aid as early as possible. Applications received after this date will be considered for aid as long as funds are available.

All students are strongly urged to check with the Office of Financial Aid concerning questions related to the financial aid process. In addition, students are advised to check with local service clubs, churches and employers about scholarships that might be offered. These scholarships often go unused.

Procedure for Making Application

1. The student applies for admission to Columbia College and is accepted.
2. The student must have a high school diploma or a General Education Development (GED) certificate.
3. The student files the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at www.fafsa.gov. (All South Carolina residents must apply by June 30 for the South Carolina Tuition Grant) Federal School Code: 0034300
4. In the event additional documentation is required, or errors were made on the FAFSA, students will receive notification of additional requirements.
5. The student applying for assistance will receive an official award notification from the Office of Financial Aid via email.
6. Students are not required to return a copy of the award letter. All aid will be processed as offered unless the student returns a signed copy of the award with notations indicating a desire to decline or reduce a specific award.
7. VA students should notify the Columbia College certifying official in the Office of Financial Aid.

Students can view their financial aid information in Koala Connection under Financial Services.

Satisfactory Academic Progress

Pursuant to Federal Regulations, the Columbia College Office of Financial Aid is required to monitor the academic progress of all students who apply for federal financial aid. Financial aid funds can only be awarded to students who are completing and passing a minimum percentage of hours attempted, maintain a specific GPA, and who meet the college’s standards for continued enrollment as defined in the “Academic Standing ” section of the Columbia College catalog. If a student fails to meet SAP standards, they will become ineligible for federal financial aid. A student is considered making Satisfactory Academic Progress and eligible for financial aid if they:

1. Are admitted and enrolled as a degree-seeking student.
2. Meets Columbia College’s standards for continued enrollment (See the “Academic Standing” section of Columbia College’s Bulletin.)
3. Maintains the minimum Columbia College GPA requirement as follows below.
4. Passes 67% (0.6665) of all attempted hours (includes all transferred credits).
5. Has not attempted more than 150% of their program of study.

Undergraduate Students

Graduate Students

To maintain good standing in graduate programs, students must consistently do “B” quality work or above in coursework and maintain a cumulative 3.00 GPA. A student whose cumulative GPA falls below a 3.00 in any given semester is placed on academic probation. A student will be dismissed for academic reasons if their cumulative GPA is less than 3.00 at the end of the following consecutive semester. Consecutive semesters are fall/spring/summer. The College requires a final cumulative GPA of at least 3.00 (“B”) to receive the master’s degree.

Special Note: Certain scholarships and grants require a higher grade-point average or earned credit hours (e.g., LIFE/HOPE Scholarships; Palmetto Fellows Scholarship)

Full-time/Part-time

For the purposes of Satisfactory Academic Progress, Columbia College does not distinguish between full-time and part-time enrollment. Student progress is assessed on both a quantitative (GPA) and qualitative scale (percentage of hours completed). Basing the qualitative measure on percentage of hours completed negates any differences in enrollment status.

No undergraduate student exceeding the maximum timeframe is eligible for Title IV Federal or state aid.

Re-admit and Entering Transfer Students

Credit transferred from other institutions will count as both attempted and earned hours, but do not count towards the GPA requirement, for the purposes of satisfactory academic progress.  Re-admitting students will be assessed for eligibility upon re-application to Columbia College and will be considered eligible for Title IV Assistance if they meet SAP standards. New transfer students will be assessed for eligibility upon acceptance. All students receiving LIFE Scholarship or Palmetto Fellows Scholarship must meet the credit hour requirement for those programs. Full-time students must earn 24 semester credit hours per year for SCTG, an average of 30 credits per year for the LIFE Scholarship, and 30 total credit hours per year for the Palmetto Fellows Scholarship). Courses taken at other institutions do count towards the credit hour and GPA requirements for the LIFE and Palmetto Fellows scholarships.

Treatment of Courses and grades in determining Satisfactory Academic Progress

Withdrawals (WD) count toward total hours attempted for the Cumulative Completion Rate and are included in the GPA calculation. Only administrative withdrawals do not count against the GPA.

Incompletes (I) or No Grade (NG) count toward total hours attempted for the Cumulative Completion Rate but are not included in the GPA calculation.

No Credit (NC) is assigned to audited courses.  The hours are not included in the attempted hours or the GPA calculation.

Transfer credits accepted by the College count toward the Cumulative Completion Rate and will not count in the GPA calculation.

Repeated courses count toward total hours attempted for the Cumulative Completion Rate. The highest grade is included in the GPA calculation. Federal student aid is available for only one retake of a passed course.

Change in Majors. Only courses counting toward a student’s program of study (major) count toward maximum timeframe. Students are allowed a maximum of three times to change major.

Failing (F) grades count toward total hours attempted for the Cumulative Completion Rate and are included in the GPA calculation.

Satisfactory (S)/Unsatisfactory (U) are Pass/Fail credit hours that count toward total hours attempted for the Cumulative Completion Rate. Successfully completed courses are included in the total hours earned. The grades are not included in the GPA calculation.

Summer School

Summer School is considered a period of enrichment.  Therefore, students are encouraged to attend summer school to improve their academic status.  If summer school is attended, a SAP evaluation will be performed at the end of this term.

Maximum Timeframe

Students are no longer eligible for aid if it is mathematically impossible to complete their program of study within 150 percent of the published program length. The maximum number of attempted hours eligible to be covered by aid is 180 semester hours for a 120-credit hour bachelor’s degree (120 x 150%=180). The hours included in the evaluation will only include the hours for their current major, regardless of how many times they change majors.  Students may appeal their status, if their aid is cancelled and they are pursuing multiple majors or degrees. If at the time when SAP is reviewed at the conclusion of the spring term or any other term it is determined that a student has exceeded the maximum number of attempted credit hours based upon their degree, the student is no longer eligible for financial aid.

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Cycle

The Office of Financial Aid will review the Satisfactory Academic Progress of undergraduate students at the end of each semester. Students who have not met Satisfactory Academic Progress after the designated checkpoint are placed in a warning status. If a student is still not meeting the standards after the subsequent semester, the student will be placed on financial aid suspension. Students on suspension are classified as ineligible for aid and are not eligible for Title IV federal aid programs, institutional, or state funding.

Students who are determined to be ineligible for federal financial aid under the Satisfactory Academic Progress policy may appeal this determination if the student feels extenuating circumstances were a major factor in their inability to meet the Satisfactory Academic Progress standards. Extenuating circumstances are documented conditions beyond the student’s control (e.g., injury, illness, or family crisis). Appeals governing that circumstance will only be granted once. If the appeal is approved, the student will return under a probation status with an academic plan.  If a student does not meet the terms of their academic plan or cumulative SAP standards while on probation, they are suspended. Students who subsequently meet Satisfactory Academic Progress standards will restart the Satisfactory Academic Progress cycle.

What happens when the appealed probation semester is complete?

A student may regain or lose eligibility following the appealed probation semester.  The status for the semester following the appealed probation semester will fall into one of the categories below: 

1. Stay in an appealed probation status. In order to remain in appealed probation status, a student must meet their academic plan requirements. Students who remain in an appealed probationary status will continue on their established academic plan.
2. Move back to a suspension status. If a student does not meet either:
   1. the required pace of completion or GPA for the semester or
   2. the requirements of their academic plan the student’s status will return to suspension and federal aid will be cancelled for future semesters.

Students who move back to a suspension status will not be eligible for financial aid and no longer have the option to appeal.

3. ​Move to a satisfactory status. If a student meets the overall GPA and Cumulative Completion Rate (while meeting maximum timeframe conditions) for satisfactory academic progress.  Students who move to a satisfactory status will no longer be on probation and are now meeting cumulative SAP standards. 

Financial Aid Appeals

Students who do not meet these guidelines will be sent a letter and/or e-mail explaining that they are on financial aid suspension. Students who feel there are extenuating circumstances which may affect the denial of financial aid have the right to appeal in accordance with the Financial Aid Appeal Process.

Students who have been on financial aid suspension cannot merely skip a semester to regain eligibility. To regain eligibility for financial aid, the student may submit a written appeal (see Appeals Process below) in accordance with the appeals process and the Office of Financial Aid must approve the appeal. The student is then placed on probation with an academic plan.

To appeal, the student must follow the process below:

1. Complete the Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal Application in which the student clearly explains extenuating circumstances which prevented them from meeting the Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements.  The application must explain:
   1. What occurred; why did you fail to meet the SAP requirements?
   2. How have you resolved these circumstances so that they will not continue to affect your academic performance in the future? What is your plan of action to ensure your academic success?
2. For maximum timeframe, the student must explain the number of hours accumulated and submit a degree audit.
3. Submit your completed appeal application and all supporting documents. Submit the appeal during the following times:
   1. Second week of August
   2. Last week of December
   3. Second week of May
   4. Third week of July

4. Students will be notified of the decision by mail or email within 48 hours of the decision.  The decision of the Financial Aid Office is final.

Submit Appeals Form and Supporting Documents to:

Columbia College

Office of Financial Aid

Attn: Satisfactory Academic Progress

1301 Columbia College Drive Columbia, SC 29203

Email To: fa@columbiacollegesc.edu

If a student’s appeal is denied, then the student will be required to successfully attain minimum SAP requirements using their own financial resources to continue enrollment. Once minimum SAP requirements have been met, aid eligibility is reinstated.

Students who have exceeded the maximum timeframe may appeal. Appeals for the extension of aid beyond the 150 percent maximum timeframe are available only to those students for whom one additional semester of aid will result in graduation. No appeal will be granted for students that require more than one term beyond the maximum timeframe to attain a degree.

Appeals for the upcoming fall semester will be reviewed after spring grades are available (if necessary) and prior to the last day of the add/drop period for the fall semester. Appeals for the upcoming spring semester will be reviewed after fall grades are available (if necessary) and prior to the last day of the add/drop period for the spring semester. Appeals for the upcoming summer sessions will be reviewed during the spring semester and prior to the last day of the add/drop period for the summer session.

Academic Plan

Students whose appeal has been approved and cannot achieve minimum SAP requirements within one semester will be placed on an Academic Plan. 

An Academic Plan will detail the specific expectations and requirements that must be met for each semester the student receives aid until SAP requirements are met. The Academic Plan will be created by the Office of Student Success and forwarded to the Office of Financial Aid. Requirements may include, but are not limited to regular meetings with faculty, advisors, and the Pearce Communication Center, presentation of progress reports to the Director of Financial Aid or other representatives, and optional sessions with the campus Counselor. A specific GPA and percentage of hours completed will be assigned for each semester to ensure that SAP requirements are met within the required time frame. Failure to comply with any part of the Academic Plan requirements or to achieve the expected GPA and percentage will terminate the Academic Plan provision and the student will become ineligible for aid. No additional appeals will be considered.

Columbia College reserves the right to terminate an Academic Plan at any time. Any decision to terminate a plan early will be deliberated by the Financial Aid Committee.

Types of Aid

Columbia College Undergraduate scholarships

Upon acceptance to the college, scholarship administrators evaluate the GPAs of incoming first year and transfer undergraduate students to determine their eligibility for academic scholarships Athletic and performing arts awards are made by the appropriate departments and are generally based on tryouts and auditions.  Recipients must meet Satisfactory Academic Progress and earn the required GPA to receive these scholarships.  Students may be awarded up to $15,500.00 for on-campus and $7,750.00 for off-campus students for the academic year.

All students must meet the cumulative Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements below to continue to receive all institutional scholarships. The Office of Financial Aid will review student eligibility at the end of each spring semester. Summer school at Columbia College can be considered to meet SAP standards.

Students failing to meet SAP requirements at the end of the semester will lose their merit scholarships. Once an institutional scholarship has been cancelled, it cannot be reinstated. 

Federal Grants

Pell Grant

The Federal Pell Grant is awarded to undergraduate students who are enrolled in an eligible program, have not received a bachelor’s degree, and who demonstrate financial need. The amount of the grant is determined by the Federal Pell Grant Program based on the applicant’s family’s financial circumstances.

Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant is awarded by the Director of Student Financial Aid to students demonstrating financial need. Students showing exceptional need and who complete the FAFSA will be given first consideration for these grants as long as funds are available.

Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant

If your parent or guardian died as a result of military service in Iraq or Afghanistan, you may be eligible for an Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant.  Like other federal grants, Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grants provide money to college or career school students to help pay their education expenses. Recipients of this grant had a parent or guardian who died as a result of military service in Iraq or Afghanistan.  

TEACH Grant

The Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant Program provides grants up to the maximum set by the U.S. Congress (currently $3,772 per year for grants disbursed 10/01/21 - 9/30/24) to students who are completing or plan to complete course work needed to begin a career in teaching. As a condition for receiving a TEACH Grant, students must agree to teach in a high-need field at a school that serves students from low-income families for at least four academic years within eight years after completing their degree.

South Carolina State Grants & Scholarships

South Carolina Tuition Grant (SCTG)

The South Carolina Tuition Grant (SCTG) is awarded to academically eligible South Carolina residents attending Columbia College on a full-time basis during the regular academic year. The amount of the South Carolina Tuition Grant is determined by the South Carolina Tuition Grant Commission based on the applicant’s family’s financial circumstances. Awards are made for the entire academic year (fall and spring semesters) only. Students who fail to enroll full time during the Fall semester forfeit their eligibility for the entire academic/award year.  Eligible students must be enrolled in 12 hours each semester.  SC Tuition Grant does not give funding for classes taken in June or July.  Students receiving 100% of tuition paid by another entity are not eligible for the SC Tuition Grant.

South Carolina Palmetto Fellowship

The Palmetto Fellows program is awarded to students who demonstrate exceptional scholastic achievement. Students may be awarded a maximum of $6,700 in their first year and up to $7,500 for subsequent years.

Students must apply for the Palmetto Fellows Scholarship through the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education (CHE) through their high school guidance office. The awards may be renewed for a total of four years (eight semesters) if renewal requirements are met.

If a student graduates before using all eight semesters, that student forfeits any remaining Palmetto Fellows Scholarship stipends. The Palmetto Fellows Scholarship cannot be used to fund graduate education. It is only available to students pursuing their first baccalaureate degree from an accredited college. 

See Palmetto Fellows details from CHE.

South Carolina Legislative Incentives for Future Excellence Scholarship (LIFE)

The South Carolina Legislative Incentives for Future Excellence Scholarship (LIFE) was established by the General Assembly during the 1998 legislative session. To be eligible for a LIFE Scholarship, you must have graduated from a high school located in South Carolina on or after May 1995 and be a full-time, undergraduate, degree-seeking student.  You must be a South Carolina resident for in-state tuition purposes at the time of enrollment and have no felony, alcohol, or drug convictions. If, however, you have been judged delinquent or have been convicted or pled guilty or nolo contendere to an alcohol or drug misdemeanor, you are ineligible for one calendar year from the date of the conviction. You must also be a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident under state laws. You may not be in default or owe a refund on any federal or state financial aid program.

If you are a first-time entering freshman, you must have graduated from high school with a minimum 3.00 cumulative grade point average (GPA) on a 4.00 scale.

For initial LIFE Scholarship eligibility, if a currently enrolled student, you must have earned a cumulative 3.00 CC GPA at the end of the academic year. You must also have earned a minimum of 30 credit hours, or the annual equivalent at all institutions attended, for the previous academic year if completing your first year; 60 credit hours must have been earned if completing your second year; and 90 credit hours must have been earned if completing your third year.

You may receive the LIFE scholarship for not more than eight semesters for a four-year degree or 10 semesters for a five-year degree. Funds from this program may not be used for remedial courses or continuing education classes. If you are receiving South Carolina’s Palmetto Fellows Scholarship, you are not eligible for a LIFE Scholarship.

To retain the LIFE Scholarship, you must earn an average of 30 credit hours for each academic year and earn a 3.00 cumulative CC GPA by the end of the academic year. The financial aid office, using data from the admissions and records offices, is responsible for awarding LIFE Scholarships.

Please note that the LIFE Scholarship statutes and regulations are subject to change by the South Carolina Legislature.

Enhancements for LIFE & Palmetto Fellowship

To be eligible for the LIFE or Palmetto Fellows Scholarship Enhancement beginning with the sophomore year, students must be eligible for and be a recipient of the underlying scholarship (either the LIFE or Palmetto Fellows Scholarship). Students must also be enrolled as a full-time, degree-seeking student with a declared major in an approved mathematics or science program at an eligible four-year institution in South Carolina.

In order to be eligible for the LIFE or Palmetto Fellows Scholarship Enhancement, students must complete the minimum level of instruction in approved mathematics and science courses by the end of their freshman/first year of college enrollment. Freshmen must complete at least fourteen credit hours of instruction in mathematics or life and physical science or a combination of both.

Students may use the following to meet the fourteen credit hour requirement: 1) credit hours earned while in high school (dual enrollment); 2) credit hours earned the summer following high school graduation (for Palmetto Fellows, the summer must be immediately following high school graduation); 3) exempted credit hours (CLEP, AP, IB), and; 4) Pass/Fail courses with a grade of “Pass” only.

For Palmetto Fellows, these hours are only acceptable for Enhancement purposes and cannot be used to meet the annual credit hour requirement for renewing the underlying Scholarship. In addition, remedial/developmental, continuing education and non-degree credit coursework cannot be used to meet the specified minimum level of instruction in mathematics and science.

South Carolina HOPE Scholarship

The South Carolina HOPE Scholarship is available to first-time first-year students only. Eligibility requirements for the SC HOPE Scholarship include the following: The student must earn a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA on the SC Uniform Grading Policy upon high school graduation; be a SC resident at the time of high school graduation and college enrollment; not be recipients of the Palmetto Fellows Scholarship, LIFE Scholarship, or Lottery Tuition Assistance; and must meet all general eligibility criteria. The amount of the scholarship is up to $2,800 toward the cost of attendance. Funding is for up to two (2) consecutive terms.

Loans

The Federal Direct Loan Program (Subsidized & Unsubsidized)

The Federal Direct Stafford Loan Program provides low-interest, long-term loans to eligible students through the U.S. Department of Education.

Federal Subsidized Direct Loans

The Federal Subsidized Direct Loans are based on demonstrated financial need. The interest and payments are deferred while the student is enrolled. Repayment begins 6 months after the student ceases to be enrolled at least half-time. A student can borrow up to $3,500 as a freshman, $4,500 as a sophomore, and $5,500 as a junior or senior. A student can borrow an aggregate of $23,000 for their undergraduate study. The current fixed interest rate for the Federal Subsidized Loan is 8.25%.

Federal Unsubsidized Direct Loans

The Federal Unsubdued Direct Loans are non-need-based loans. Interest on unsubsidized Direct loans begins accruing after the first disbursement. Students have the option of paying the interest monthly or quarterly while in school and during the grace period or can have the interest capitalized and added to the principal amount of the loan upon entering repayment. Repayment begins 6 months after the student ceases to be enrolled at least half-time. If a dependent student does not qualify for a subsidized Direct loan, the dependent student may borrow from this program at the same loan limits as the Federal Subsidized Direct Loans. An independent or qualified dependent freshman and sophomore student may borrow up to $6,000 per academic year. The undergraduate loan limit for an independent or qualifying dependent student who is a junior or senior is $7,000 per academic year. Graduate students are eligible for up to $20,500 per year, not to exceed the Cost of Attendance for Columbia College. The current fixed interest rate for the Federal Unsubsidized Loan for undergraduate students is 8.25%, and for graduate students and low-income students is 9.50%.

The undergraduate Loan Grade Level is determined by the total number of semester hours earned at CC plus any hours accepted in transfer.

For a single semester, your loan eligibility is no more than half the annual amount.

The total outstanding loan debt you can accrue from the federal student loan program is:

• $31,000 as a dependent undergraduate student (only $23,000 of this can be subsidized)
• $57,500 as an independent undergraduate student (only $23,000 of this amount can be subsidized)
• $138,500 as a graduate student.

Federal Parent PLUS Direct Loans

The Federal Parent PLUS Loans are loans taken out by parents of dependent undergraduate students, enrolled at least half-time, to help pay for their child’s college expenses. Parents are responsible for repaying Parent PLUS loans. PLUS loans are in addition to the loans taken out by your child, and your PLUS loan will cover the entire cost of tuition, room and board, and other school-related expenses that your child’s financial aid doesn’t cover. The current fixed interest rate for the Federal Parent PLUS Loan is 10.5%. Parents cannot borrow more than the cost of attendance for the child’s education minus other financial aid received.

Federal Graduate PLUS Direct Loans

The Federal Graduate Plus loans are federal student loans available to students attending graduate school and professional school. The current fixed interest rate for the Federal Graduate PLUS Loan is 9.08%.

South Carolina Teacher Loan Program

This program is available only to residents of South Carolina who are attending college for the purpose of becoming certified teachers employed in the state’s school system in areas of critical need as defined by the State Board of Education. For loan recipients who become certified and teach in an area of critical need, the loan shall be cancelled at the rate of 20 percent for each full year of teaching, up to 100 percent. Loan recipients who do not become certified and/or do not teach in an area of critical need shall be responsible for repaying the entire amount of loan funds borrowed plus interest. Contact the Office of Financial Aid for application information and deadlines.

Student Employment Office

The Office of Student Employment helps students participate in the most beneficial work experience possible while at Columbia College.

The following describes two programs coordinated through the Office of Student Employment:

Federal Work Study (FWS)

Federal Work Study, as its name implies, is a federally subsidized program awarded to students based on financial need. Students are approved to receive Work Study awards as part of their financial aid package. To be considered for FWS, student must

• Complete the FAFSA by March 15^th
• Have financial need as determined by the FAFSA

Workship (WS)

Workship is institutionally funded aid awarded to students based on their skills and the campus student work needs. This program also assists students who do not qualify for FWS funds but express a desire to work on campus.

FWS and WS applications must be submitted via Handshake.

Withdrawal Implications for Recipients of Financial Aid

During the Drop/Add Period

During the college’s published drop/add period, students who drop or reduce their enrollment may be eligible for a 100 percent refund of tuition for classes dropped.

Financial aid recipients must immediately notify the Office of Financial Aid Office in writing when a drop from one or more classes during the drop/add period results in an enrollment status different from the enrollment status on which their current financial aid eligibility was based. The same applies if one or more classes are canceled.

The Office of Financial Aid will review the student’s new enrollment and, if appropriate, revise the student’s eligibility based on the new enrollment status.

If a financial aid recipient drops from all classes or drops to less than half-time status during the drop/add period, all financial aid awards must be returned to their respective programs. Students who drop from all classes or drop to less than half-time status during the drop/add period are considered never to have established eligibility for financial aid. If the student was given financial aid funds for other expenses, the student will be expected to return those funds to the college.

After the Drop/Add Period

Students who are recipients of Title IV federal student aid are also covered by federal Return of Title IV Funds (R2T4) regulations. Title IV federal student aid is awarded to a student under the assumption that the student will attend for the entire period for which the assistance is provided and thereby “earn” the award. When a student ceases academic attendance prior to the end of that period, the student may no longer be eligible for the full amount of federal funds that the student was originally scheduled to receive.

If a Title IV recipient withdraws from all classes on or before the session is 60 percent complete, based on their last date of attendance, federal policy requires that any “unearned” Title IV federal student aid be returned to the U.S. Treasury, even if the student is not entitled to a refund of tuition.

A student is required to immediately notify the Registrar when the student stops attending classes. If the student fails to notify the Registrar’s Office, it is possible that the 50 percent point in the term will be used to determine the student’s last date of attendance, in accordance with federal regulations. If a student withdraws from all classes*, the Office of Financial Aid will determine if that student’s period of attendance resulted in the earning of all federal student aid awarded for that term. If it is determined that not all the scheduled federal aid has in fact been earned, then the Office of Financial Aid will calculate the amount to be returned to the federal student aid programs. The Office of Financial Aid will bill the student via the student’s college account for the amount to be returned. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the Cashier’s Office to settle the bill.

*Note to students: In a modular program, one or more of the student’s enrolled courses run for only part of the semester. The modules at Columbia College span seven weeks and there are two modules per semester. Students in modular courses who withdraw from one or more courses but are still registered for future courses within the semester will be required to confirm their future enrollment plans. For students who fail to confirm or fail to re-enroll, the Office of Financial Aid will determine whether you have completed module(s) that contain 49 percent or more of the number of days in the payment period. If you have completed 49 percent or more, you are not considered to have withdrawn for R2T4 purposes. If you have completed less than 49 percent, the Office of Financial Aid will calculate the portion of your financial aid that has been earned based on your latest date of attendance. Refunds to the U.S. Treasury may be required.

Additional Responsibilities of Students Who Withdraw

Any time a student withdraws from one or more courses, the student should consider the potential effect on their Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) status. See the Satisfactory Academic Progress section for more information about SAP requirements.

Whenever a student’s enrollment drops to less than half time or the student withdraws completely, or if a student takes a leave of absence, they must notify the lender, holder, or servicer of any loans. Student borrowers of federal loans must also satisfy exit loan counseling requirements at https://studentaid.gov/exit-counseling/.

Students who have withdrawn from studies may be entitled to a prorated cancellation of charges from these offices.

Notes on Federal Policy

Title IV Federal Student Aid

Students are considered recipients of Title IV federal student aid if they have received funds from one or more of the following programs to meet educational expenses for the semester in question: Federal Pell Grants, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG), Federal TEACH Grant, Direct Loans (Subsidized or Unsubsidized), or Direct Graduate or Parent PLUS Loans.

FAFSA and Verification

The Department of Education’s deadline for receipt of a 2024-2025 FAFSA is June 30, 2024. To receive financial aid funds, a complete, valid FAFSA must be received at Columbia College by the last day of the student’s 2024-2025 enrollment. Financial aid applicants selected for verification are required to submit documentation before any financial aid funds are awarded or disbursed. The deadline to submit verification documentation is 120 days after the student’s last date of enrollment for 2024-2025, or September 10, 2025, whichever is earlier. CC will continue to accept verification documentation until this date.

Applicants are notified of any changes to their financial aid eligibility on their Financial Aid Summary and Tasks (FAST) page. The FAST page also indicates any outstanding documentation or tasks that need to be completed for aid to be processed or disbursed. 

Period of Enrollment

At Columbia College, the periods of enrollment are generally measured using the session(s) in which the student enrolled on a semester basis, starting on the first day of classes and ending on the final day of examinations for a given term. For purposes of Title IV federal student aid, any scheduled break of five or more days will not be included in the measurement of the enrollment period. For programs offered in modules (sessions that do not span the entire length of the semester), breaks of more than five days between modules will not be included in the measurement of the enrollment period.

Measurement of Earned Title IV Federal Student Aid

When a student withdraws from all classes or withdraws from one or more classes while attending a modular program, the Office of Financial Aid will calculate the percentage of earned Title IV federal student aid using the date of withdrawal. The earnings calculation is based on the number of days of enrollment, up to and including the day of withdrawal, divided by the total number of days in the enrollment period. In most cases, when a total withdrawal is determined to occur on or before the 60 percent point in a semester, some federal aid will need to be returned.

Return of Title IV Federal Student Aid

To satisfy federal regulation, returns to Title IV financial aid programs must be made in the following order:

• Direct Unsubsidized Loans
• Direct Subsidized Loans
• Direct PLUS Loans
• Federal Pell Grants
• Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (SEOG)
• Other Title IV federal programs

Veterans Benefits

The following policies and procedures are of primary concern to veterans, servicepersons, members of guard and selected reserves, and other eligible persons who receive VA educational benefits while enrolled at the College.  More information about VA benefits can be found at https://www.columbiasc.edu/tuition-aid/veterans-benefits.

Please note: Academic standards of progress and attendance are covered under school standards of progress as specified by the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education, License Division, and are required by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

Enrollment Certification

Certification by the College VA certifying official in the Office of Financial Aid, is required for eligible students who wish to receive VA educational benefit checks. Students must initiate their own requests for enrollment certification via Koala Connection under the Academic tab. Students should begin to request certification at the end of the drop/add period for each semester. The certifying official will complete certifications and forward other forms to the VA only for those students who have made such requests and have completed the necessary paperwork.

The VA requires that eligible students must have completed full College admissions requirements and matriculation into degree-seeking status before they may receive VA educational benefits. Only the federal VA has the final authority to award or to deny military educational benefits.

Undergraduate veterans or servicepersons should contact the Office of Admissions for consideration of receiving college credit for military schools.

Normally, VA payments are authorized only for those courses which are required by the academic department for the student’s current degree program. All students receiving educational benefit checks from the VA are responsible for notifying the VA certifying official of any changes in their degree programs and/or course loads during a semester, to include drop/add, withdrawal, changing from credit to audit status, invoking the Pass-Fail option in a course, or enrolling in any distance education course, independent study, internship, or practicum.

Appropriate forms and benefits-related information are available at the Office of Financial Aid, Scholarships, and Veterans Affairs. Each student request will be handled individually according to their VA benefit program and enrollment status at the College.

Majors Approved for Veteran Education Benefits for Columbia College

Personal Property Insurance

Columbia College is not responsible for damage or loss of personal property brought on campus. Students are advised to obtain adequate insurance coverage for their property.

Miscellaneous

1. Students will be charged for the repair or replacement of grounds, buildings or equipment that may be damaged or lost through negligence, carelessness, or willful intent on the part of the student or guests of students. A charge will also be made for vacated rooms left in an untidy condition.
2. Columbia College is not responsible for damages, losses, repairs, etc. to automobiles, personal belongings or other items brought to the campus by students, guests, employees, or visitors. Students are advised to obtain adequate insurance coverage for their property.
3. Columbia College is not responsible for, and does not provide insurance coverage for, illnesses or accidents of students, guests, or visitors.
4. Situations not specifically provided for in these regulations will be provided for in accordance with accepted practices and in keeping with principles which ensure fairness to all concerned. Charges in such instances will be agreed upon by all parties involved prior to registration or immediately upon a change in the student’s status. Otherwise, charges which the College may levy will prevail.