Application Procedures
Students should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online at www.fafsa.gov as soon as possible after October 1 (each year) for the following school year. The FAFSA is used to apply for the Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, Federal Direct Loans (subsidized and unsubsidized), Federal Work Study, and the Illinois Student Assistance Commission Monetary Award Program (MAP) Grant.
To be considered for financial aid at Black Hawk College, a student must be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen, have a high school diploma or GED equivalent (limited exceptions), enroll in an eligible degree or certificate program, and not be receiving financial aid at another school. The FAFSA and any other requested documentation should be submitted prior to July 1 for the fall tuition payment due date. However, FAFSAs will be accepted throughout the school year. All program eligibility requirements are subject to change and late applications may have limited eligibility. All awards are subject to receipt of Federal and State funds.
Visit www.bhc.edu/financial-aid for additional information.
NOTE: Students who are not eligible to complete the FAFSA should review requirements for the Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid.
Financial Aid Policies
Enrollment Status
Federal financial aid award amounts are based on your enrollment on the 10th day of the term.
- Classes dropped on or before the 10th day of the term will not be eligible.
- Classes added after the 10th day of the term will not be eligible. Students are encouraged to finalize their enrollment before the semester begins.
NOTE: Minimester and summer terms may vary - contact the Financial Aid Office for additional information.
If you will change your enrollment after the semester has begun, please contact the Financial Aid Office to determine if your financial aid awards will be impacted. Refer also to Adding/Dropping a Class .
Repeat Coursework
Upon successful completion of a class (with a D or better), students may receive financial aid for one completed retake of that course. Refer also to the College’s Repeat Policy .
Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
NOTE: The requirements listed below are separate from the College’s Academic Standards and Academic Progress Policy .
Students receiving federal and state financial aid must be making Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) toward a degree or certificate program to continue receiving financial aid at Black Hawk College. These standards are cumulative and include all periods of enrollment at Black Hawk College, including semesters when the student did not receive financial aid.
To maintain financial aid eligibility, a student must meet all of the following SAP requirements:
- GPA - Maintain a 2.0 cumulative GPA.
- Completion Rate - Pass 67% of all credit hours attempted.
- Maximum Time Frame - Attempt less than 150% of the minimum credit hours required for their degree/certificate.
SAP requirements are evaluated after each semester.
- If requirements #1 or #2 are not met, students will be placed on Warning for one semester. Financial aid can be received while on Warning. Students who continue to not meet these requirements at the end of their Warning semester will be placed on Dismissal and will no longer be eligible for financial aid at Black Hawk College.
- If requirement #3 is not met, students will be placed on Dismissal Timeframe and will no longer be eligible for financial aid at Black Hawk College.
Financial Aid recipients placed on Dismissal or Dismissal Timeframe will be notified at their myBHC email. Students with mitigating circumstances may appeal. Appeals should be submitted prior to the term of requested reinstatement - limited exceptions will be considered. An appeal cannot be approved if the student:
- Has reached 60 credit hours attempted and does not have a 2.0 cumulative GPA, or
- Cannot achieve a 67% cumulative completion rate or a 2.0 cumulative GPA within maximum time frame (or an approved extension).
For additional policy details and Frequently Asked Questions, visit www.bhc.edu/financial-aid-policies.
Ineligible Programs
To be considered for financial aid, students must be enrolled in an eligible degree or certificate program at Black Hawk College. Programs that are not eligible for financial aid are denoted on the program websites and in this academic catalog under program-specific information.
Return of Title IV Aid
Federal financial aid is awarded to students under the assumption that the student will attend classes for the entire period for which the aid was given. Students “earn” the aid by attending and participating in classes.
Students who do not participate or who do not complete a period of enrollment will be considered withdrawn, and the Financial Aid Office must recalculate the student’s financial aid eligibility based on the percentage of federal aid “earned” and “unearned”. Unearned financial aid must be returned to the U.S. Department of Education and may result in a balance due from the student.
If you will change your enrollment after the semester has begun, please contact the Financial Aid Office to determine if your financial aid awards will be impacted. Additional details and the full policy are available at www.bhc.edu/financial-aid-policies. Refer also to Withdrawing from College .
Federal Financial Aid (Title IV Aid)
Federal Pell Grants. The Federal Pell Grant is awarded to undergraduate students to assist with educational expenses. The amount of the grant is based on FAFSA information and enrolled credit hours each semester.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG). Funding is limited; eligibility is based on FAFSA information and enrolled credit hours each semester.
Federal Work-Study Part-time employment opportunities for students who have financial need. www.bhc.edu/work-study.
Federal Direct Loans Requirements are available at www.bhc.edu/loan and should be submitted prior to July 1 for the fall tuition payment due date. Loan eligibility at Black Hawk College is determined on a case-by-case basis - eligibility and/or award amounts are not guaranteed. Loans are borrowed money and must be repaid. When borrowing, students are encouraged to consider their future earnings and ability to repay. Students should borrow only what is absolutely necessary.
Federal Direct Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students (PLUS). Eligible parents may borrow for their dependent undergraduate student. Requirements are available at www.bhc.edu/loan and should be submitted prior to July 1 for the fall tuition payment due date. Loan eligibility at Black Hawk College is determined on a case-by-case basis - eligibility and/or award amounts are not guaranteed. Loans are borrowed money and must be repaid.
State Financial Aid
Illinois Student Assistance Commission Monetary Award Program (MAP) Grant. The State of Illinois provides an opportunity for Illinois residents to receive a grant not to exceed tuition. The amount of the grant is based on FAFSA information and billed credit hours each semester. Funding is subject to state appropriations; students are encouraged to submit their FAFSA as soon as possible each year after October 1 to maximize their eligibility.
NOTE: The Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid allows qualifying undocumented students to apply for the Illinois MAP Grant (no federal financial aid). Visit https://studentportal.isac.org/alternativeapp for details.
Illinois Veterans Grant. Illinois veterans who served one year of active duty, received an honorable discharge and currently reside in Illinois or were residents of Illinois when they entered the military and returned to Illinois within six months of discharge may be eligible to have their tuition and certain fees paid by the State of Illinois. Eligible students should submit their Notice of Eligibility letter to the Financial Aid Office as soon as possible. www.isac.org
Illinois National Guard. To qualify, a student must be on active duty and must have served for at least one year in the Illinois National Guard. Any recipient under this program is entitled to payment of tuition and approved fees while attending full or half-time. Iowa residents who are active members of the Illinois National Guard are eligible to receive the grant. Students must reapply each year for the grant; eligible students should submit their Notice of Eligibility letter to the Financial Aid Office as soon as possible. www.isac.org
Department of Rehabilitation Services (DORS).
Students with physical or mental disabilities which constitute a substantial vocational handicap are eligible for grants covering tuition and fees. Other aid may also be provided when financial need is shown. Students should contact the DORS office in their country for eligibility guidelines. www.dhs.state.il.us
Other State Grants/Scholarships
- MIA/POW Scholarship
- Grant for Dependents of Police or Fire Officers
- Grant for Dependents of Correction Officers
- Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity (ECACE) Scholarship
- Nurse Education Scholarship
- iGrow Tech Scholarship
Additional information on these and other state programs is available at www.isac.org.
Institutional Financial Aid
Black Hawk College Presidential Scholars
In-district high school seniors in the top 10% of their graduating class at the end of seven semesters are eligible for the Black Hawk College Presidential Scholars Award.
For early graduates (after 3½ years), class rank after six semesters will be used. You must have attended a public high school or an Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) accredited private high school within the Illinois Community College District #503 to qualify. Presidential Scholars are awarded 100% of their tuition up to 16 credit hours per regular semester or 32 credit hours in an academic school year.
In order to be considered, candidates must complete the Presidential Scholar Award Acceptance Agreement and submit intent to attend Black Hawk College by successfully completing Black Hawk College’s application for admission and submitting high school transcripts by the specified deadlines.
Presidential Scholars must enroll full-time immediately after graduation from high school. Summer enrollment is optional after freshman year. Presidential Scholars must enroll full-time and maintain a 3.25 cumulative grade point average.
Black Hawk College Achievement Awards
BHC offers achievement awards that pay a portion or all of a student’s tuition charges. BHC achievement awards are available in these areas: athletics, art, music, and crop/horse/livestock judging. See the departments for application information.
Career and College Pathways Endorsement (CCPE) Award
As specified in state statute (110 ILCS 148/80), school districts may award College and Career Pathway Endorsements to qualifying high school graduates on their high school transcript. To honor this achievement, Black Hawk College will award $100 on the student’s account for each student who completes the CCPE and submits supporting completion documentation. Students should apply for the CCPE Award on the Black Hawk College website at: www.bhc.edu/ccpe
Black Hawk College Scholarship Program
All new and current full and part-time students are encouraged to apply for Black Hawk College Scholarships. There are more than 200 endowed and annual scholarships available through the Quad Cities and East Campuses each year. Scholarship applications and application deadlines are available online at www.bhc.edu/scholarships.
Please note - Presidential Scholars are ineligible for Foundation Scholarships.
Black Hawk College Foundations. The Black Hawk College Foundation and the Black Hawk College East Foundation are proud to be associated with individuals and organizations who contribute to our scholarship programs each year or who generously endow scholarships to support BHC students into the future. Because of these generous donors, the Foundations are able to offer students general scholarships based on financial need as well as academic interest, status, or other criteria as defined by the donor.
For more information, you may visit:
Black Hawk College Quad-Cities Campus Foundation
www.foundation.bhc.edu
309-796-5052 or 800-334-1311, Ext. 5052
Black Hawk College East Foundation
https://bhceastfoundation.org/
309-854-1718 or 800-233-5671, Ext. 1718.
Veterans’ Benefits
See also State Financial Aid for veterans benefits for Illinois residents.
Black Hawk College processes benefits for veterans qualifying under the Post 9/11 GI Bill®, the Montgomery GI Bill® - Active Duty, and Selected Reserves. Students may also qualify for Dependent’s Educational Assistance or Veteran Readiness & Employment benefits. Contact the Veteran’s Resource Center for information or visit www.bhc.edu/veterans
The Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 expanded a veteran’s ability to maximize his or her Post-9/11 GI Bill® benefit and use that benefit at any public school in the nation regardless of residency restrictions. Students attending Black Hawk College should work closely with the Veterans’ Benefits Coordinator to ensure appropriate documentation is obtained for tuition charges.
In accordance with the Veterans Benefits and Transition Act of 2018, beginning August 1, 2019, Black Hawk College will not take any of the four following actions toward any student documented as using U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) post 9/11 GI Bill® (Ch. 33) or Veteran Readiness and Employment (Ch. 31) benefits, while their payment from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs is pending to the educational institution:
- Prevent their enrollment;
- Assess a late penalty to:
- Require they secure alternative or additional funding;
- Deny their access to any resources (access to classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities) available to other students who have satisfied their tuition and fee bills to the institution.
However, to qualify for this provision, students are required to:
- Produce the VA’s Certificate of Eligibility by the first day of class;
- Provide written request to e-certified;
- Provide additional information needed to properly certify the enrollment as described in other institutional policies (see the VA School Certifying Official for all requirements).
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.
Black Hawk College refrains from high-pressure recruitment tactics such as making multiple unsolicited contacts (3 or more), including contacts by phone, email, or in-person, and engaging in same-day recruitment and registration for the purpose of securing Service member enrollments.
Black Hawk College refrains from providing commission, bonus or other incentive payment based directly or indirectly on securing Service member enrollments.
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