OFFER LETTER GENERAL GUIDELINES

The  Offer Letter shows the types and amounts of financial assistance students are expected to receive at Carl Sandburg College. To understand your award notification be sure to read all the information carefully.

  • Awards are based on full-time enrollment and will be prorated and based on actual enrollment.
  • To decline an award, notify the Financial Aid Office in writing.
  • Notify the Financial Aid Office of any external awards/monies.
  • Students must maintain a minimum grade point average and credit hour completion rate for details see Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP).

 

ELIGIBILITY

  • Eligibility is determined through the review of your student aid application (FAFSA) and the cost of education for your program of study. 
  • We reserve the right to modify your offer(s) at any time due to changes in your financial aid eligibility, processing errors, or the availability of funding. 
  • Students are responsible for repaying funds received in excess of financial need, awarded in error, or if the student becomes ineligible - for any reason.

 

Special Conditions: Consideration for Additional Funding

MY AWARDS ARE NOT ENOUGH

If you experience any of the items listed below, contact the Financial Aid Office at 309.341.5283. If your circumstances meet the criteria for reconsideration, a form can be found on our Financial Aid Forms page to collect documentation. Changes are reported to the federal and state government to recalculate your eligibility.

Examples of Special Conditions include:

  • Loss of job or benefits
  • Death or divorce in the family.
  • Unemployment
  • Excessive medical expenses paid
  • Parental student loan payments
  • Children in private secondary schools
Understanding My Bill

HOW DO I KNOW IF I OWE OR IF FINANCIAL AID WILL COVER MY BILL?

  • Once you enroll, you can view estimated financial aid on mySandburg. To view, go to   mySandburg, login, under Self-Service Menu select “My Account," then select “View Account and Pay Tuition” ”, then click on specific term – example Fall 2021.
  • A negative sign means that your bill is paid and shows how much money  you will get back as a refund.
  • Self-Service will show anticipated aid after enrollment, official disbursement occurs approximately two weeks prior to the tuition deadline. At this time, the funds are available for payment plan use.
  • If your financial aid is not finalized by the tuition due date, you will need to pay out of pocket or go on the payment plan. 
    • Students who receive aid after they go on a payment plan can contact the business office to adjust their payment plan amounts. 
Refunds: Checks & Direct Deposit

If financial aid remains after your tuition and books are paid, the remaining funds (excluding loans) will be sent to you approximately three weeks after the semester begins. You may choose a direct deposit option through the Sandburg business office. To do so bring your photo ID to the Business Office in E100 on the Galesburg main campus or visit the Carthage branch office. If you've already signed up for direct deposit and have changed your bank account, follow the same procedures to update your information. Call 309.341.5210 with questions.

Using Financial Aid For Books

If financial aid (excluding loans) exceeds the cost of tuition and fees, the excess will be available at the Bookstore. Book charges begin approximately four weeks prior to the semester. You may choose book rental or e-books as a means to lower your costs. ISBN information for required books are available on the college website under the bookstore link.  For more information please visit this page.

Attendance Requirement

ATTENDANCE AND CHANGES OF ENROLLMENT IMPACT ON FINANCIAL AID

  • Financial aid is calculated based on your enrollment.  Payment is adjusted for changes in enrollment through the Census Date or end of the 100% drop period.  Federal Pell Grant has an additional limitation that specifies you may not receive Pell for courses added after the 100% drop date, even if the course(s) you add begins later in the semester.

  • Classes dropped at 100% will reduce hours enrolled and your aid.

  • Audit hours and tested out hours are not counted in the total number of credits for financial aid purposes.

  • Sandburg has a mandatory attendance policy for all classes and you could lose Financial Aid for non-attendance. For more information on this policy please visit: No Show You Go.

Proxy Access: Parent/Authorized User

OPTIONAL - SET UP AUTHORIZED USER TO VIEW ACCOUNT AND PAY TUITION (PROXY):

Sandburg offers students the opportunity to add one or more authorized users (called a Proxy) to make payments on the student's behalf and to view financial aid documents and awarding information. The authorized user will receive a separate login and password to access the account. The student controls what the user can view. To set up, go to  Proxy Authorization for instructions. If you have any questions, contact us at 309.341.5289.

 

CONSUMER INFORMATION

The college provides required disclosures on the   Consumer Information Page.  .Additional information about Sandburg Financial Aid Programs is provided on the  Financial Aid web page.  Public Glossary of Standard Terms and Definitions are on the  student glossary web page.

Contact Us

Financial Aid Office
Location: Main Campus E101
Phone: 309.341.5283
Email: finaid@sandburg.edu