The Federal Financial Aid Consortium Agreement is a written agreement between two or more Title IV eligible institutions enabling students to take coursework at different institutions simultaneously for the purpose of completing a degree while recognizing registration at each location for financial aid purposes.
Per federal regulations, a student may receive federal financial aid from only one school during any given semester. The Consortium Agreement allows the degree-granting institution (Home College) to count courses being taken at the host school (Teaching College) in the aid calculation.
This Federal Financial Aid Consortium Agreement pertains to elements related to student Financial Aid operations at all California Community Colleges who are eligible to participate in Title IV Federal Financial Aid funding, as defined by Section 34 CFR 668.5.
is entering into this Federal Financial Aid Consortium agreement in accordance with Student Aid General Provisions and is considered in effect from the date of agreement execution until otherwise canceled.
Definitions
CCC Online Education Initiative (OEI): The California Community College (CCC) initiative, funded by the CCC Chancellor’s Office that provides support to college online teaching and learning programs and coordinates resources and services available to the entire CCC system.
OEI Federal Financial Aid Consortium College: A California Community College (Home College) that has agreed through the execution of the Financial Aid Consortium Agreement to recognize registration at another Title IV eligible California Community College (Host/Teaching College) for purposes of awarding federal financial aid.
OEI Home College: Any California Community College, eligible to participate in Title IV Federal Financial Aid Programs, where the student has first completed the matriculation process, is currently enrolled, and is seeking a degree or certificate program from said college.
Host or Teaching College: Any California Community College, eligible to participate in Title IV Federal Financial Aid Programs, where the student is taking part of his or her program requirements.
Institutional Enrollment Definition
The college where the student first completes the application for admission as well as the following matriculation steps will be designated as the Home College.
- Completion of English and Math placement assessments
- Completion of New Student Orientation
- Development of an education plan
The college that will grant the degree or certificate will be the designated Home College.
Cost
Enrollment fees for all participating California Community Colleges, for each academic year, are identical and are subject to change based on legislative actions.
Students determined to be Non-Residents of California are expected to pay Non-Resident fees as well as enrollment fees.
Local/Campus-Based fees vary with each Home College and will be fully identified on the Financial Aid Award Letter.
The Cost of Attendance (COA) will be determined by the Home College, based on campus policies and in accordance with federal and state guidelines. The COA and associated fees are subject to review on an annual basis.
The Cost of Attendance (COA) will be fully detailed & disclosed on the Financial Aid Award Letter, provided by the Home College.
Student Enrollment Status
To use the Exchange’s cross-enrollment functionality and be eligible for federal Financial Aid maximum award, the student must be enrolled in at least six (6) units at their designated Home College.
The enrollment status of the OEI Exchange student may be the sum of all units in which the student enrolls at both the Home and Teaching College.
Financial Aid Eligibility, Award Calculation, and Disbursement
Financial aid eligibility, award calculation, and disbursement for an OEI Exchange student are conducted by the designated Home College.
The calculation of the financial aid award is based on the Cost of Attendance (COA), as determined by the Home College, minus the Expected Family Contribution (EFC).
Financial Aid award packages will vary based on student eligibility, available funds, and program participation.
The designated Home College, at the time of the award, will be responsible for the disbursement of Federal Financial Aid.
Satisfactory Academic Progress
Financial Aid Offices establish standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) in accordance with federal regulations (34 Code of Federal Regulations Section 668.34), which may vary from college to college.
To be eligible for Financial Aid, students within the OEI Exchange must meet or exceed these standards in accordance with the Home College SAP policy. Failure to maintain these standards may result in loss of financial aid eligibility.
The standards apply to all financial aid recipients and to all college coursework taken including coursework taken from outside colleges if that coursework has been submitted and appears on the transcript.
Financial Aid funds will be disbursed to students who are in compliance with the Home College’s Satisfactory Academic Progress guidelines.
Return of Title IV Funds (R2T4)
Federal Title IV financial aid funds are awarded under the assumption that a student will remain in attendance for the entire semester for which the funds were awarded. Students who withdraw from all courses prior to completing more than 60% of the semester will have their financial aid eligibility recalculated based on the percentage of the semester completed and will be required to pay any unearned financial aid they may have received in accordance with Return to Title IV guidelines as mandated by the U.S. Department of Education.
The calculation for the Return of Title IV Funds (R2T4), notification to the student, and any return of any funds will be the responsibility of the student’s designated Home College.
Record Keeping
The student’s designated Home College will be the office of record for Title IV Federal Financial Aid administration.
Student financial aid records will be retained by the Financial Aid office of record, including the procedures for determining student financial aid eligibility, calculating awards, disbursing funds, monitoring satisfactory academic progress (SAP) and, returning funds (R2T4) in the event the student withdraws.
To support the administration of Title IV funding and compliance with the above-referenced processes, the Home College will have access to, through an administrative dashboard, regular reports, and notifications, including but not limited to, course enrollment, drops, withdrawal data, and final grades.
Adherence to Title IV Regulations
The Home College will ensure compliance with this Agreement, and all Title IV financial aid regulations as it pertains to this agreement. The Home College reserves the right to exclude Exchange Course units from the determination of Financial Aid should there be a conflict with Title IV Federal requirements.
