Types of Financial Aid

Scholarships and grants are considered gift-aid and do not have to be repaid. Students may apply for scholarships and grants in addition to other financial aid. They are available through many sources including the federal government, state agencies, professional and service agencies, private organizations, and Seward County Community College. All scholarships or grant funds awarded to the student must be reported to the Financial Aid Office.

Scholarships

Scholarships at this institution are categorized into two groups, institutional scholarships (those funded by SCCC or the SCCC Foundation) and outside scholarships (those funded by other organizations, such as private companies, etc.). Institutional scholarship recipients are selected by a designated scholarship committee using the student’s information provided on a completed SCCC Scholarship Application. Outside scholarship recipients are selected by the different organizations and are based on their own unique criteria. Other outside scholarships require application through the organization. External Scholarships | SCCC

In-District Tuition Grants

The Tuition Grant is authorized by the Seward County Community College Board of Trustees and will be awarded to qualifying students based upon availability of funds. The Tuition Grant for full-time students will pay the tuition cost for the recipient for a maximum of 18 credit hours, in a fall or spring semester. The In-District rate of tuition will be utilized; the student recipient is responsible for tuition costs that exceed the maximum credit hours or exceed the In-District rate of tuition.

A limited number of Part-time Tuition Grants will be available for students enrolled in 6 - 11 credit hours; based upon availability of funds, these Part-time Tuition Grants will pay the tuition cost for the recipient for a maximum of 6 credit hours, in a fall or spring semester. The InDistrict rate of tuition will be utilized; the student recipient is responsible for tuition costs that exceed the maximum credit hours or exceed the In-District rate of tuition.

Tuition Grants will be awarded by the Scholarship Committee of Seward County Community College based upon the following criteria:

  • An application should be submitted to the Financial Aid Office by the priority date or April 1.
  • The student must have a high school diploma or GED certificate and be officially admitted to Seward County Community College.
  • The student must be a legal resident of Seward County, Kansas, for tuition purposes.
  • Full-time student Tuition Grant recipients must be certified in at least 12 credit hours and complete 12 credit hours each Fall/Spring semester.
  • The student must participate in an approved SCCC activity or organization. Participation will be verified each semester and reported to the Scholarship Committee.
  • The recipient must have a minimum high school GPA of 2.5. After attending SCCC or any other college a 2.5 GPA is required to receive the tuition grant.
  • Part-time Tuition Grant recipients must be certified in at least 6 credit hours and complete the 6 credit hours. If student has no previous college hours, a minimum high school GPA of 2.5 is needed to receive the grant. After completion of one semester at SCCC or any other college a 2.5 GPA is required to receive a tuition grant.

The priority date for applications to be submitted for the Fall/Spring academic year is April 1. Tuition Grants are renewed for the Spring Semester if the recipient has met all requirements; only one application for the Fall/Spring academic year is necessary. The priority date for applications to be submitted for the spring semester is November 1. Tuition Grants for all semesters are contingent upon available funds.

Book Rental Scholarship

This scholarship is available to students who participate in certain programs. This scholarship pays book rental for full-time students (12+ hours) and requires sponsor recommendation. Eligible programs are: Art, Athletics, Cheerleading, Criminal Justice, Crops Judging, Dance, Drama, Enactus, Instrumental Music, Journalism, Livestock Judging, Peer-tutoring, Saints-N-Action, Soils Judging, Sports Manager, Sports Medicine and Vocal Music. Funds are limited and competitive. Priority application dates are April 1st for the following Fall Semester and November 1 for the following Spring Semester. Fall scholarships are automatically renewed for spring if the recipient has met all of the scholarship's criteria (application is necessary only once per year).

Federal Pell Grant

A need-based grant funded by the federal government for undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor’s or professional degree. The maximum award for the 2024/2025 award year will be $7,395. The amount a student is eligible for depends upon the Student Aid Index (SAI) and their enrollment status for each semester they attend. Federal Pell Grant funds may not be received at more than one institution at a time. This grant money is to be used toward education-related expenses. To determine eligibility, the student must complete the FAFSA which is available online at www.studentaid.gov.

Athletic Scholarship

These scholarships made by SCCC are governed by the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) and the Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference (KJCCC). If a student who receives an SCCC Athletic Scholarship is awarded another scholarship by a source not affiliated with a particular college, and if that source awards such scholarship without restriction to college of attendance, and if the student competes for the scholarship in the same manner as any other student, he/she may accept such additional scholarship. If a student who receives an SCCC Athletic Scholarship has a high school or college GPA of at least 3.5 on his/her final official transcript, they may be eligible to receive an additional SCCC Academic Scholarship that does not exceed $500 each semester. The 3.5 SCCC cumulative GPA must be maintained for the student to continue to receive the award.

Work-Study

Work-study is considered a self-help aid. It provides jobs for students who wish to earn a portion of their college expenses while gaining practical work experience. At SCCC there are federal (Federal Work-Study) and institutional (College Payroll) positions available. A student will typically be employed for one academic year, August through May. Summer employment, June and July, may also be available. The workstudy positions are located on campus and the rate of pay is at least the current federal minimum wage. The scheduled hours and pay may vary according to the job position. The amount earned cannot exceed the total amount of the work-study award. A maximum of 15 hours may be worked weekly.

SCCC requires students interested in Work Study to first file a “FAFSA”. International students should contact the Financial Aid office for instructions.

A list of jobs is available on the financial aid website. Priority is given to full-time students in good standing. Before a student may start working, the following documents must be on file: FAFSA or SAR/ISIR, a W-4, and an I-9. A valid photo ID and Social Security Card are required to complete the I-9. First time student workers are required to attend a seminar explaining SCCC procedures.

SCCC Student Ambassador Program

The SCCC Student Ambassadors Program allows students the opportunity to serve in a public relations support capacity by assisting campus personnel with college-sponsored events and functions, and by performing duties that promote Seward County Community College. Students can be nominated from various areas across campus. Students who are nominated and selected must attend an orientation session before beginning the program.

For more information contact the Admissions Office.

Student Loan

Direct loans are available to eligible students through the federal government to help pay for educational expenses. It is a legal obligation to repay all funds that are borrowed (principal plus interest). All borrowers are encouraged to read and understand the obligation assumed in any student loan; know what the terms and conditions of the loan are and do not borrow more than is needed. Outside alternative student loans are not certified by SCCC.