Financial Aid
Highland Community College recognizes that in today's economy, most families need help in financing the cost of higher education. HCC has developed a complete program of financial aid and scholarship options to meet your needs. Highland Community College offers assistance based on academic achievement, special talents, and financial need.
Complete Your FASFA
Financial Assistance
In order to be considered for all types of federal financial aid administered by HCC, a student need only complete and submit the FAFSA. Applicants and parents may have to submit federal income tax return transcripts and other documents if selected for verification.
HCC's School Code is 001921
If you have questions or need help, contact the Financial Aid Office.
Common Questions Regarding Financial Aid
1098-T Form Information
Financial Aid Resources
Policies
- 2025-2026 Financial Aid Disbursement Policy
- Withdrawal and Refund Policy
- Return to Title IV (R2T4): What Happens to Your Financial Aid When You Withdraw
Special (Financial) and Unusual (Dependency) Circumstances
The Financial Aid Department understands students and their families may at times experience unique situations, and, as much as possible, we are here to help. Financial Aid Administrators may adjust, with appropriate documentation, FAFSA elements or cost of attendance allowances that are specific to a student’s situation. There are two categories of unique situations: special and unusual circumstances.
Please note Unusual or Special Circumstances do not include:
- Parents refuse to contribute to the student’s education.
- Parents will not provide information for the FAFSA or verification.
- Parents do not claim the student as a dependent for income tax purposes.
- Student demonstrates total self-sufficiency.
Special circumstances are financial situations that support a change to the cost of attendance or expected family contribution (EFC)/student aid index (SAI) calculation.
Examples of special circumstances include, but are not limited to:
- Change in employment status, income, or assets;
- Change in housing status (e.g., homelessness);
- Change in family size due to divorce, marriage, death, adoption, or other circumstance;
- Tuition expenses at an elementary or secondary school;
- Additional family members enrolled in college;
- Medical, dental, or nursing home expenses not covered by insurance;
- Child or dependent care expenses; and
- Severe disability or illness of the student or other member of the student’s household.
Unusual circumstances are conditions that support a change to a student’s dependency status based on a unique situation.
Examples of unusual circumstances include, but are not limited to:
- Human trafficking, as described in the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000;
- Legally granted refugee or asylum status;
- Parental abandonment or estrangement; or
- Student or parental incarceration.
Students who find themselves with special or unusual circumstances should complete the Special Financial Circumstances Appeal OR Unusual (Dependency) Circumstances Appeal and contact the Financial Aid office to speak with a financial aid counselor. The counselor will research the student's situation and verify the information presented by the student. Additional information or documentation may be required from the student. Notice of the need for any additional documentation or a decision will be sent to the student within 10 business days.
Financial Aid Timelines:
The below timelines are estimates based on what students could expect when applying for financial aid: Once the FAFSA is submitted, it will take approximately one week to be received by our office. We will review the FAFSA within two business days for eligibility requirements and either send a letter indicating anything that requires resolution or a letter explaining what the student is eligible for.
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All awards are disbursed once attendance has been reported to the registar office. Typically, refund checks are issued to the student one to two months after the first day of classes.
Financial Aid Programs
The Federal Direct PLUS loan is a low interest loan for parents of dependent students to aid in covering the student's cost of education. The interest rate is variable.
The student must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine eligibility. After submissive and processing of the FAFSA, the parent must complete the Direct PLUS Loan Application. The student must be enrolled on at least a half-time basis (6 credit hours) to be eligible for this loan.
The Federal Direct Subsidized Loan is a low interest loan issued by the Federal Government to help students pay for educational expenses. The interest rate is variable and may change every July 1. The federal government does not charge interest on Direct Subsidized Loans while the borrower (student) is enrolled on at least a half-time basis, (6 credit hours). There a six-month grace period before repayment of the loan begins after the student graduates, leave schools, or drop below half-time enrollment (6 credit hours).
This loan is "need based." The student must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine eligibility. The student must be enrolled on at least a half-time basis (6 credit hours) to be eligible for this loan.
The Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan is a low interest loan for students who do not qualify, in whole or in part, for Federal Direct Subsidized Loans. The interest rate is variable and may change every July 1. The student is responsible for all the interest that accrues on this loan beginning from the time of disbursement. There a six-month grace period before repayment of the loan begins after the student graduates, leave schools, or drop below half-time enrollment (6 credit hours). On the unsubsidized loan, interest continues to accrue during the six-month grace period.
The student must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine eligibility. The student must be enrolled on at least a half-time basis (6 credit hours) to be eligible for this loan.
The Pell Grant provides funds to financially qualified undergraduate students. The grant amount is calculated based upon the student aid index, enrollment intensity, and the cost of attendance.
The student must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine eligibility.
A Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant is an award of money for undergraduate students who have financial need as determined by the approved need analysis calculation. It differs from the Pell grant in that it is not an entitlement and is awarded by the Financial Aid Office.
The student must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine eligibility. The student must be eligible for Pell grant and enrolled on at least a half-time basis (6 credit hours) to be eligible for this grant.
The Federal Work Study Program provides employment opportunities for students who have financial need and prefer to earn a wage to help pay expenses. Students are awarded a dollar amount of potential earnings based on unmet financial need, availability of federal work study funds, and number of hours expected to work according to supervisor needs. The number of hours worked each week will vary according to the job and aid eligibility. Students are paid by the hour and earn a paycheck one time each month. Hourly earnings will not be less than the minimum wage.
Federal work study is "need based.” The student must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine eligibility.
Most HCC scholarships require students to complete a minimum of 12 hours per semester with a 2.0 GPA. Institutional scholarships do not allow for a probational semester. Students not meeting the necessary credits and/or GPA will not have their scholarships renewed for the following semester. Students receiving HCC Athletic Scholarships must meet NJCAA eligibility guidelines to renew their awards. Students wishing to receive an HCC academic scholarship must reapply each year of attendance.
Not eligible for federal loans or need additional funding for school? We partner with several private lenders who provide student loans. Go to ELMSelect to view options and get started.
The Kansas Board of Regents administers several scholarships and grants. Application deadlines vary.
In Financial Aid, it’s important that we remain up to date on all regulations issued
by the Education Department. To maintain up to date, the Financial Aid Department
requires minimum of one professional development activity for each person at the Highland
Office. Examples of professional development activities include, but is not limited
to: State/Regional/National Conferences, Webinars, Training Sessions. We also encourage
all financial aid employees to volunteer with our state and regional associations.
Also, we encourage all financial aid employees to earn financial aid credentials through
the NASFAA credentialing program as this is a way to show knowledge earned.