Southwest MS Community College is a low-cost, locally governed institution; therefore, students wishing to attend should not let financial reasons prevent them from doing so. Through one or a combination of aid, all students having need should be able to acquire the necessary funds.
Financial aid is the economic assistance available to help students meet the difference between what they can reasonably be expected to pay and what it will cost to go to college. This economic assistance may be in the form of scholarships, grants, work-study jobs, veteran’s assistance, or a combination of any of these programs.
The goal of the Office of Financial Aid is to assist students in obtaining financial aid at Southwest Mississippi Community College. SMCC is a low-cost, locally controlled institution; therefore, students wishing to attend should not let financial reasons prevent them from doing so. Through one or a combination of aid, all students having need should be able to acquire the necessary funds. Financial aid is the economic assistance available to help students meet the difference between what they can reasonable be expected to pay and what it will cost to go to college. This economic assistance may be in the form of scholarships, grants, work-study jobs, veteran’s assistance, or a combination of any of these programs.
NOTE: Currently, our institution does not participate in the federal student loan program; however, you can independently get a private loan or non-certified loan to help pay for your educational expenses if you meet the lender’s requirements.
I'm enrolled, what's next?
Complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at www.studentaid.gov. The SMCC School Code is 002436.
The Office of Financial Aid will reach out via postal mail, email, and/or through your MySW account. Be sure to check these sources regularly to ensure no further action is required on your part.
Submit the application for the Mississippi Tuition Assistance Grant (MTAG) at www.msfinancialaid.org.
Further Assistance
If you should have questions or concerns which are not covered by the content of this website, please refer to the course catalog, or contact Financial Aid at 601.276.3707.
Hours of Operation:
January August
Mon-Thurs – 8:00am – 4:30pm Mon-Thurs – 8:00am – 4:30pm
Friday – 8:00am – 3:00pm Friday – 8:00am – 3:00pm
February – May September – December
Mon-Thurs – 8:00am – 4:00pm Mon-Thurs – 8:00am – 4:00pm
Friday – 8:00am – 3:00pm Friday – 8:00am – 3:00pm
June – July
Mon-Fri – 8:00am – 3:00pm
To speak directly with a financial aid counselor, refer below:
Financial Aid Director
Amber Brister
- 601.276.3708
- abrister@smcc.edu
Last Name: A-F
Tammy Cain
- 601.276.4804
- tcain@smcc.edu
Last Name: G-S
Stacey Hodges
- 601.276.4805
- slee@smcc.edu
Last Name: T-Z
Tammy Cain
- 601.276.4804
- tcain@smcc.edu
NOTE: Currently, our institution does not participate in the federal student loan program; however, you can independently get a private loan or non-certified loan to help pay for your educational expenses if you meet the lender’s requirements.
Types of Financial Aid
Pell Grant
This is a federal grant awarded to undergraduate students, who have not received a bachelor’s degree, who signify financial need, and who meet eligibility requirements. This Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) determines eligibility. This grant does not have to be repaid, as long as the student remains enrolled more than 60% of the semester. No other aid will be awarded until Pell Grant eligibility has been determined.
You can complete the FAFSA application online at https://studentaid.gov/. The SMCC College Code is – 002436.
SEOG: Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant
This is a federal need-based grant awarded to a limited number of students demonstrating substantial financial need. There is no application for this grant, other than a completed FAFSA on file. The Director of Financial Aid will determine eligibility of all enrolled students on the first day of classes each semester. Availability of funds is limited and is based on a yearly federal allocation.
Federal Work-Study
The Federal Work Study program is a federally funded program, and students must have a current FAFSA application on file to be considered. Students interested in obtaining a Work Study position should come by the Office of Financial Aid the first week of classes each semester to obtain a Work Study application. At that point, eligibility will be determined. Once the student has been selected for hire by the department head, the student will need to submit required documentation to the Office of Financial Aid before a time-sheet will be processed and forwarded to the appropriate supervisor.
Applications will be accepted until all positions have been filled.
Students participating in the Federal Work Study program will earn $9.00 per hour. Students are paid based on a four-week pay period. Checks are available to be picked up in the Business Office the Friday following the final work-day on the time-sheet.
MTAG: Mississippi Tuition Assistance Grant
Mississippi Tuition Assistance Grant is for students that receive less than a full pell grant, have received a standard high school diploma or GED, have a minimum ACT Score of 15, are permanent Mississippi residents, and maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale. Applicants must complete the MTAG application online at msfinancialaid.org. The deadline to apply for MTAG is September 15 of the current school year. You can contact the state office by phone at 1-800-327-2980.
MESG: Mississippi Eminent Scholars Grant
Mississippi Eminent Scholars Grant is for first time college students that have been recognized by the National Merit Scholarship Program or attended a Home Education Program for grades 9-12; applicants must have a minimum ACT Score of 29 and a minimum GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale which must be maintained as well as apply at msfinancialaid,org.
HELP: Higher Education Legislative Plan
Higher Education Legislative Plan Created by the Mississippi Legislature, this program is designed to provide tuition assistance to qualified students who demonstrated need as determined by the results of Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The combined income for the student and the student’s parents must be $42,500 or less. However, the allowable average adjusted gross income increases by $5,000 for each additional dependent family member under the age of 21 other than the student.
Applicants must have a minimum ACT Score of 20 and a minimum GPA of 2.50 on a 4.0 scale which must be maintained as well as apply at msfinancialaid.org. Help has an early deadline for application of March 31 prior to the next school year.
*Effective Fall 2017, students eligible for state aid through multiple programs will be awarded through the single program that awards the largest amount.
Veteran’s Assistance
First time recipients should apply for VA benefits by going to www.va.gov. Approximately 4 weeks after applying, you will receive a Certificate of Eligibility in the mail. We must have a copy of this before we can certify an eligible student for an award.
In order to certify a student for VA benefits at SMCC, the SCO will need:
- ALL prior college transcripts sent to the Admissions Office.
- An official copy of your Military Services Transcripts. This is not necessary for dependents of veterans, unless the dependent has a service record.
- A copy of your Certificate of Eligibility.
- A completed and submitted Request for VA Certification.
Each semester, eligible students must sign and submit a Request for VA Certification form to the SCO in the Office of Financial Aid.
Military Services Transcripts can be ordered at https://jst.doded.mil. Click “advanced” then “proceed to site” to create an account and follow instructions.
NOTE: If you are a post 9/11 recipient and have already applied for benefits, you can access your Certificate of Eligibility at www.ebenefits.va.gov.
NOTE: Students using VA Benefits under Chapter 30, 35 or 1606 – Once your classes have been certified and submitted to the VA, the VA will send the benefit payment directly to you. Therefore, you will be responsible for paying SMCC all tuition and fees associated with your account. In order to be sure to secure your classes, we would strongly suggest that you speak to the Business Office to set up payment arrangements while waiting to receive your payment from the VA.
Education Benefits – 1.888.442.4551
Monthly Verification of Attendance – 1.877.823.2378
Other VA Benefits – 1.800.827.1000
Debt Management Center – 1.800.827.0648
For more information on Veteran Educational Benefits, please contact Tammy Cain in the Office of Financial Aid at 601.276.4804. The VA Headquarters’ number is 1.800.827.1000. Veteran Educational Benefits information can be found at gibill.va.gov. The Department of Veteran’s Affairs website is va.gov.
FAFSA Simplification
Changes were made to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the 2024-2025 aid year!
The FAFSA just got shorter – it went from 100 questions down to 36!
The new laws make it easier for students and families to complete and submit the FAFSA form and expands access to federal student aid – Pell Grant, SEOG and Work Study.
This is the first major update to the FAFSA in over 40 years!
Streamlined Application – there are fewer questions and an easier way to transfer tax information directly from the IRS.
EFC (expected family contribution) changed to SAI (Student aid Index) – this is the new need analysis formula for determining federal aid eligibility.
New Terminology – a Contributor is anyone who is asked to provide information on the FAFSA, a parent or a student’s spouse, for example. Consent is required from each contributor to have their information included on the FAFSA.
Security has improved – multi-factor authentication will be used to log into the FAFSA form, much like your bank, you will verify your identity at sign in.
All students still need an FSA ID – create one if you don’t have one, or you will use the one you already have.
All contributors still need an FSA ID – create one if you don’t have one, or you will use the one you already have.
Prior, prior tax information is still used, so for the 2025-2026 FAFSA, 2023 tax return will be linked to the FAFSA.
The FAFSA Simplification Act allows financial aid administrators added flexibility to make adjustments to a student’s FAFSA based on a student and/or family’s financial circumstance. this process is known as professional judgment and can extend to declared disasters, emergencies, or economic downturns.
For 2024-2025, the amount of a FULL Federal Pell Grant is $7395 ($3698 for fall semester and $3697 for spring semester). This information is subject to change for upcoming years, based on Federal Regulations.
Credit Hours Enrolled | Enrollment Intensity | Dollar Amount |
12 + | 100% | $3698 |
11 | 92% | $3402 |
10 | 83% | $3069 |
9 | 75% | $2774 |
8 | 67% | $2478 |
7 | 58% | $2145 |
6 | 50% | $1849 |
5 | 42% | $1553 |
4 | 33% | $1220 |
3 | 25% | $925 |
2 | 17% | $629 |
1 | 8% | $296 |
Financial Aid Forms & Useful Links
During the verification process, each student that is randomly selected by the Department of Education must provide the Office of Financial Aid with federal income tax forms, W-2’s, etc. The process must be complete before any aid will be awarded.
A verification work sheet should be filled out for each FAFSA that the Department of Education has selected for verification.
- 24-25 Dependent Verification Worksheet
- 24-25 Independent Verification Worksheet
- 24-25 Special Condition Application
- 24-25 Statement of Educational Purpose
- 24-25 High School Completion Verification
- 24-25 Statement of Non Filing
- 24-25 Unusual Enrollment History Appeal
- 24-25 Max Credit Appeal
- 24-25 Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal
- 24-25 Provisional Independent Appeal
Return of Title IV Funds & Refunds
A Title IV federal aid recipient who withdraws, officially or unofficially, from all classes on or before the 60% point of the academic term (10th week of school) will be subject to repayment based upon the federal “Return of Title IV Funds” calculation. Federal regulations require that a percentage of the funds disbursed be returned. Students “earn” federal aid funds in direct proportion to the length of time they remain enrolled. A student who remains enrolled past the 60% point of the academic term has earned 100% of the Title IV federal aid for the enrollment period. Pell grant awards are processed based on the student’s enrollment status after the add/drop date is past for the semester.
Tuition and Board (Meal Plan) Percentage Refund Chart
Fall and Spring Withdrawn By: | Percentage of Refund |
1st week | 100% |
2nd Week | 75% |
3rd Week | 50% |
After 3rd Week | 0% |
No refunds will be made after the 3rd week
No refunds will be made for dorm room rent, out-of-state tuition, online, technology, or student services fees.
No refunds will be made after the first class meeting for Summer, Short Term, or Accelerated Courses.
The Financial Aid Office will authorize the Business Office to pay credit balances from Federal Grants after the student completes the 10th or 11th week of classes. If your financial aid awards exceed assessed tuition and fees, you will receive a refund check from the Business Office. If there is a balance due, the Business Office will bill you.
Withdrawal from Southwest Mississippi Community College
Official Withdrawal
Students who choose to withdraw from SMCC prior to the end of an enrollment period should follow the college’s guidelines for withdrawing from school. A Withdrawal Form must be completed and submitted before a student can be considered officially withdrawn. Information concerning the details of withdrawal procedures should be directed to the Counseling Center (Kenna Hall) at 601-276-2005.
Unofficial Withdrawal
Federal student aid recipients who begin attending classes during a semester and who cease attending or performing academic activities prior to the end of the semester, and do not personally request to be withdrawn from school are considered by the federal government to be an Unofficial Withdrawal. They may also be considered an Unofficial Withdrawal when he/she fails to earn a passing grade in at least one course during the semester. In the case of a student earning no passing grades (e.g. all “f” grades or a mixture of “F”/”W” grades), the Office of Financial aid must assume the student is an official withdrawal unless the students/instructor can document attendance and academic activity.
Students who are considering withdrawing from all classes should contact the Office of Financial Aid to determine how a change in enrollment status will affect their aid eligibility. Because financial aid funds are paid based on a student’s attendance, any change in status may require a student to repay federal financial aid funds already received. SMCC understands that unforeseen events may occur I students’ lives that result in a student’s withdrawal from school. Due to these situations, it is very important that students understand this policy and follow the appropriate steps to withdraw when necessary. Withdrawals may also impact a student’s future eligibility for federal financial aid funds, regardless of the reason for withdrawal.
If a student did not receive any federal student aid but did receive other types of aid funds, and subsequently officially withdraws, refunds and repayments will be based upon the college’s refund schedule outlined above.
Return of Title IV (Federal) Funds Policy
SMCC is required by federal law to return federal financial aid funds for students who are withdrawn from all courses for which they have received or are eligible to receive federal financial aid. This action is governed by the U.S. Department of Education’s policy for Return of Title IV Funds.
If a student completely withdraws from all classes, repayment of a percentage of the federal financial aid received to the U.S. Department of Education may be required. Once all classes have been dropped, the college is required to calculate the aid received and the number of day enrolled to determine if a student will be required to repay federal financial aid funds. If repayment is required, it is the policy of SMCC to return the funds to the U.S. Department of Education on behalf of the student, leaving the student with an outstanding balance to SMCC.
Title IV funds are awarded to students under the assumption that the student will attend school for the entire period of enrollment. When a student withdraws, the student may no longer be eligible for the full amount of Title IV funds that he/she received. The amount of aid a student has earned for the enrollment period is based on the length of time the student remains enrolled for that period. Therefore, the percentage of the enrollment period completed is also the percentage of aid the student has earned.
Helpful Information
Students who have been placed on suspension for GPA or Completion Rate have the ability to appeal their Satisfactory Academic Progress standing by submitting an appeal along with supporting documentation. If the appeal is approved, the student will be eligible to receive Federal Pell Grant for one semester (SAP standards are checked at the end of each semester). If the appeal is denied, the student can reinstate their financial aid eligibility by meeting the general SAP standards outlined in the Financial Aid Policies and Procedures manual.
Incomplete grades that are assigned with a letter grade of “I” will be considered an “F” grade when reviewing SAP standards.
Withdrawals will be included in the total attempted hours, however these hours will not be considered earned when determining GPA. The withdrawal of courses will be included in the determination of the Completion Rate when reviewing SAP standards.
Students that are attending remedial coursework will be held to the same SAP standards. The remedial coursework will be calculated in SAP standards. Students may receive financial aid for 30 attempted remedial credit hours.
Students who are choosing to enroll in remedial coursework that is not required, (based on test scores) will not be eligible for Title IV Aid for that particular course.
All repeated coursework will be included in the SAP review. A student may receive Title IV Aid for a repeat course only once if the course was previously passed. This is for instance when a student is attempting the course again for grade improvement. Students repeating failed coursework will continue to receive Title IV Aid, however the failed courses will affect SAP.
All academic records of Southwest Mississippi Community College students will be evaluated to determine eligibility for financial aid whether or not the student received aid for all semesters of attendance. All transfer work that is transcribed to the Southwest Mississippi Community College transcript will be included in the calculations.
- The information submitted on the FAFSA will be used in a federally mandated calculation that determines what portion of a student’s “cost of attendance” can be met through the students’ (and in the case of dependent students, the parents’) resources. This figure is then subtracted from the cost of attendance during the appropriate period of enrollment. “Cost of attendance” is based on average costs for tuition and fees, room and board (even for commuter students), books and supplies, transportation, and miscellaneous personal expenses. This figure minus the Student Aid Index (SAI) equals the documented limit for need-based financial aid. Once the documented limit is determined, awards are made by the Financial Aid Office based on the students’ eligibility for aid and the amount of need-based funds available.
Cost of Attendance (COA) – Student Aid Index (SAI) = Financial Need
Once a student’s aid is awarded by the SMCC Financial Aid Office, the student can complete registration via their MySW account or through the Business Office. Tuition, fees, room, board, course materials, and bookstore charges (to the extent of funds available) will be charged against the student’s account.
No fines will be charged against the student’s aid unless prior approval has been given to the Business Office by signing the Title IV Authorization.
All refunds to students, over the above charges will be disbursed to the student via paper check to the address the student has on file with the Registrar’s Office.
Students who are enrolled at two institutions at the same time not eligible to receive Title IV aid at both institutions.
Dual enrolled high school students are not eligible to receive Title IV aid.
The maximum allowable time a student may receive Pell Grant funds is the equivalent of twelve (12) full-time semesters. Full-time for federal student aid is 12 credit hours.
The U.S. Department of Education’s Higher Education Amendment Act of 1998, requires that a school return all unearned Title IV aid when recipients withdraw from school. Students who withdraw from all classes prior to completing more that 60% of an enrollment term will have their aid recalculated based on the percentage of the term completed.
Financial Aid FAQs
The Department of Education requests that the Financial Aid Office verify the information provided on the FAFSA. If selected for verification, you will need to provide the Office of Financial Aid additional information. You should closely monitor your MySW account for information.
SMCC does not have a set deadline for processing financial aid applications, however aid will not be awarded until all requirements are met. Students have 45 days from their last date of attendance to complete any outstanding requirements. In order to use financial aid to complete registration, students must have a FAFSA on file and all other requirements met prior to the first day of classes each semester.
The FAFSA opens on October 1 (unless late publication is determined by the U.S. Department of Education) and closes June 30 of the following year. Students should plan to complete the FAFSA as early as possible for each year they plan to attend college.
The FAFSA application is good for one academic year. SMCC considers the summer term a trailer semester, therefore each academic year will run Fall, Spring, Summer. Students beginning school in the summer and continuing into the fall must complete the FAFSA application for two (2) years in order to be considered for financial aid for both semesters.
The Federal School Code for SMCC is 002436.
SMCC encourages all students to complete a FAFSA. All institutional and athletic scholarships have a requirement of completing a FAFSA. Many factors are taken into consideration when determining eligibility for financial aid.
Log back into your FAFSA at www.studentaid.gov and click the make corrections link. You will sign and resubmit the FAFSA once the corrections are made. Allow 3 to 5 days for the corrected FAFSA to reach the Financial Aid Office.
The SAR is the output document created by filing a FAFSA. It contains the Student Aid Index (SAI) and let’s a student know if they are eligible for a Pell grant.
The financial aid eligibility of an independent student is determined solely from a review of his or her own (and spouse’s, if applicable) information as reported on the FAFSA. It is important to note that a student cannot simply decide to file as an independent student. He or she must meet one of the criteria for financial aid purposes to be considered independent.
The FSA ID is created at www.studentaid.gov. It is a unique username and password used to log into the Federal Student Aid website and used to sign a FAFSA. The FSA ID identifies you as someone who has the right to access your own personal information on the Federal Student Aid website. Each person may have only one FSA ID. It is attached to the social security number, birthdate, email, and phone number of the owner. Each FSA ID user must have a unique e-mail address.
You can view your financial aid award at anytime via your MySW account. You will receive a letter from your Financial Aid Counselor providing instructions on how to access your Financial Aid award once it has been posted to your MySW account.
Absolutely! Please contact your Financial Aid counselor if you believe you may qualify for Professional Judgement consideration.
SMCC participates in federal financial aid programs including Pell grant, SEOG and Work Study. In addition, there is state funding from the Mississippi Office of Financial Aid, as well as WIOA, Veteran’s Educational Benefits, and scholarships.
Once SMCC has received your FAFSA, your Financial Aid Counselor will contact you via mail.
SAP is the minimum GPA and completion percentage requirements required to maintain eligibility for financial aid. Please see Satisfactory Academic Progress for detailed information.
Financial aid is offered based on a student being enrolled full-time (12 or more credit hours required for your degree program). If you enroll in less than 12 hours, your financial aid package must be adjusted accordingly.
You can check your MySW account for all financial aid requirements.
The Financial Aid Office will authorize the Business Office to pay credit balances from Federal Grants after the student completes the 10th or 11th week of classes. If your financial aid awards exceed assessed tuition and fees, you will receive a refund check from the Business Office. If there is a balance due, the Business Office will bill you.
Yes, your financial aid may be refunded if all eligibility requirements are met.
Disbursement means that all eligible financial aid funds have been applied to your account as a payment for student charges (tuition, fees, books, and on-campus housing). A refund is created when the aid disbursed is more than the charges on your account.
To apply for both federal, state and institutional financial aid programs, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at https://studentaid.gov/.
