MACC

COVID-19 FAQ

Responses during COVID-19 Pandemic

First publication March 31, 2020; will be updated as new information becomes available

  • *NEW 04/23/2020* The Financial Aid Office has opened a Zoom room to provide opportunities for virtual financial aid advising. The link can be accessed in myMACC under the section “A Helping Hound” as well as from the student’s Financial Aid portal. This service will be available Monday – Friday from 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM.
  • MACC is still providing financial aid services during the time of campus closure.
  • All in-person appointments have been suspended during this time.
  • Appointments can still be requested and conducted using phone, email and Zoom.
  • If you have any questions or would like to set-up a meeting please email our office at FinancialAid@macc.edu.

 

How do I submit my documents during the COVID-19 Pandemic?

  • Email from MACC Email Account to FinancialAid@macc.edu
  • Fax to 660-269-9538
  • Postal mail
         Moberly Area Community College
         Financial Aid Office
         101 College Ave
         Moberly, MO 65270

MACC may only accept and process financial aid documents when the documents are submitted by secure means as determined by the U.S. Department of Education.

Be sure to write your MACC ID# on all documents before submitting. Do not include your Social Security Number. Here are some tips for sending your documents:

Some reminders when sending in documents from a phone:

  • Write the student’s ID number on each document you need to submit.
  • Redact all but the last four digits from any printed social security numbers included in the document you are sending.
  • Lay the document on a flat surface.
  • Only take a picture or scan one page at a time.
  • Fill up the screen with the document as much as you can, but be sure not to cut off any information.
  • Make sure you are in good lighting when scanning or taking the photo. If it is too dark use the flash option.
  • Determine the best way to take a picture of the document or use a scan app with your phone. The exact process will depend on your phone or the app you are using.

 

Google Drive (free & downloadable from any app store) is a commonly used scanning app

  • Open the Google Drive app google
  • In the bottom right, tap Add
  • Tap Scan camera
  • Take a photo of the document you’d like to scan
  • Adjust scan area: Tap Crop crop
  • Take photo again: Tap Re-scan current page rescan
  • Scan another page: Tap Add  plus
  • To save the finished document, tap Done done

 

iPhones also offer a scanning option within the “Notes” app which is pre-downloaded in all iPhones

  • Open the Notes app and choose to compose a new note
  • Select the camera image and choose scan “Scan Documents”
  • Adjust scan area: Move the corners of the white rectangle to include what you want
  • Take photo again: Tap Retake
  • Scan another page: Tap Keep Scan and then take a new photo
  • To save the finished documents press save, this will save the scans you took as a PDF in your notes

 

 There are many other photo-to-PDF scanning apps available from the Android and Apple apps stores.

When emailing documents to the MACC Financial Aid Office, remember to send them from the student’s MACC-issued email account. This will help protect the security of emailed documents and allow staff members to quickly verify to which student the documents belong.

 

WinZip instructions for file/folder encryption and password protection. Please follow these instructions carefully to ensure your attachments meet the minimum requirements.

  1. Open a folder to the location of the file(s)/folder(s) that you wish to encrypt.
  2. Select the file(s)/folder(s) that you wish to encrypt. Note that in order to select more than one file/folder, you must press the “Ctrl” key on the keyboard while selecting them.
  3. Right-click over one of the selected items.
  4. Select WinZip. From the submenu that appears, select “Add to Zip File.”
  5. In the “Add Files” dialog box, specify a ‘File name’ and ‘Destination’ (location) for the finished Zip file.
  6. Select “.Zip” as the Compression Type.
  7. Under Encryption, check the “Encrypt files” box.
  8. Click the “Add” button.
  9. 9. A pop-up window may appear saying “You should be aware of the advantages and disadvantages of the various encryption methods before using this feature. Please press the F1 key for more information, particularly if this is the first time you are using encryption.” Select the “OK” button to continue.
  10. In the “Enter Password” field, enter an appropriate password. Passwords must be at least eight characters and must contain at least one of each the following: a lowercase character (a-z), an uppercase character (A-Z), a number character (0-9), and a symbol character (!, @, #, $, %, ^, &, *, etc.).
  11. In the “Re-enter Password” field, enter the same password from Step #10, and remember the password for future reference.
  12. Click the “OK” button.
  13. A pop-up window may appear saying “Add Complete. Your files have been added. The files will be compressed and encrypted when saved.” Click the “OK” button to continue.
  14. The encrypted WinZip file should be in the location identified in Step #5 above.
  15. You can now attach the encrypted WinZip file to your email, just as you would attach any other file. Do NOT include the password for the file in this same email.
  16. Compose a second email that includes the password for your encrypted WinZip file. Send both emails to finaid@macc.edu.

There are many applications that have the ability to encrypt and you are not required to use WinZip. If you use another application you must ensure they meet the ED’s minimum acceptable encryption requirements of AES 256-bit.

Have you ever filled out a fillable form and tried to email it but the fields you entered on the form were blank when opened by the recipient?

In order to prevent that from happening, you must:

  1. Download the document and save it on your computer;
  2. Open the saved document and complete form;
  3. Save the completed form;
  4. Email the form as an attachment.

What is the CARES Act/Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund? (UPDATED 05/11/2020)

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act was passed by Congress and signed into law to provide economic relief from COVID-19. One section of the CARES Act established the Higher Education Emergency Relief fund and sent money to schools to use for emergency financial aid grants to students for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to the pandemic.

For more information about MACC’s plan to distribute these funds to our students please see our CARES Act Emergency Grant Frequently Asked Questions page.

Will MACC extend the 2020-2021 MACC Scholarship deadline?

Yes, the deadline has been extended to April 30, 2020.
Students are encouraged to complete the online form at https://www.macc.edu/2020-2021-scholarship-application.  Attachments, or paper applications, may be mailed, emailed or faxed. All information is on the form.

Will my Federal Grants or Federal Direct Loans be affected?

No. As long as you remain enrolled and continue working towards your degree, your federal financial aid will not be impacted.

Will my A+ Scholarship be affected?

Maybe.

In response to multiple changes occurring as a result of the COVID-19 virus, the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development has issued the following guidance for A+ eligibility for 2019-2020 postsecondary students and their ability to renew the award for the 2020-2021 academic year. This guidance is temporary and applies only to the 2019-2020 academic year.

Grade Point Average. The A+ Scholarship requires a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 to renew the award. However, to renew the award in the 2020-2021 academic year, students must only meet satisfactory academic progress as defined by the school by the end of the spring 2020 term. Students who meet the school’s GPA requirement for satisfactory academic progress will be eligible to renew the A+ Scholarship, even if the school requires less than a 2.5 GPA.

*UPDATED 04/01/2020*
Full-time Enrollment. Students enrolled full-time on the date the institution closed or moved to an alternative delivery method will have met the full-time enrollment requirement for the spring 2020 term. Coursework in which the student was enrolled full-time and which was otherwise eligible for reimbursement on the date the institution closed or moved to an alternative delivery method will be eligible for reimbursement. This guidance still is temporary and applies only to the 2019-2020 academic year and students’ ability to renew the A+ award for the 2020-2021 academic year.

Will my A+ Scholarship cover dropped and/or repeated courses? *UPDATED 05/14/2020*

As noted above in the Full-time Enrollment section, coursework in which the student was enrolled full-time and which was otherwise eligible for reimbursement on March 13 (the date the MACC closed and moved to an online delivery method) will be eligible for reimbursement for the spring 2020 semester.

Not all dropped coursework is eligible for reimbursement. If a student withdrew from a class prior to March 13, they may be responsible for the charges associated with that class.

With regard to the next semester, whether it be summer or fall, the student maintains their eligibility if they met the completion requirement based on guidance from MDHEWD. Although in this special instance MDHEWD intends to pay for a dropped course in spring 2020, the student did not technically complete the course. Consequently, it should not be considered a repeat course and is reimbursable when taken in the subsequent semester (if the course remains a required course for the student’s declared degree program).

This guidance still is temporary and applies only to the 2019-2020 academic year and students’ ability to renew the A+ award for the 2020-2021 academic year.

Will my Access Missouri Grant be affected?

No – as long as you met the full-time (12 credit hours) enrollment requirement.

Will my Veteran’s benefits be impacted?

Congress has introduced legislation that, if enacted, will alleviate the impact to GI Bill beneficiaries for a switch to pursuit solely through distance education. The new law allows the VA to pay education benefits regardless of the fact that your program has changed from resident training to online training. Also, you will continue to receive the same monthly housing allowance payments that you received for resident training until 12/21/20, or until the school resumes normal operations of resident training. The VA is working to immediately implement the new changes.

How and when will I receive my financial aid refund for the spring semester?

If you are expecting a credit balance refund from your spring financial aid (grants, loans), the Business Office will be mailing your check to you. You should make sure your address is current with MACC. Please refer to your Notice of Loan Guarantee for your estimated disbursement and refund information.

The estimated refund dates and date the checks should go in the mail:

  • Spring only loan, 2nd disbursement refund date: April 7, 2020
  • 2nd Eight-Week classes refund date: April 17, 2020

 

What happens if I decide to withdraw for the remainder of the semester?

Dropping a course at any time in the semester, or withdrawing from all classes, can impact your current and future financial aid eligibility. MACC is required to determine the amount of Federal Student Aid (FSA) you earn if you withdraw from your classes; this includes Federal Pell Grant, Federal SEOG, and Federal Direct Loans.

If you find it necessary to withdraw from some or all of your classes at any point in a semester, it is your responsibility to consult with your academic and financial aid advisors to find out how it will affect you. You should review the Refund Policy and Return of Federal Funds Policy, which can be found on the college’s website. In addition, withdrawal from courses may impact your academic progress, which affects your eligibility to receive financial aid in the future. A copy of the Satisfactory Academic Progress Guidelines can be found on the college’s website.

Will I be expected to make Satisfactory Academic Progress this semester in order to retain financial aid eligibility for subsequent semesters? *UPDATED 05/28/2020*

Your academic success is very important to MACC, and we want to see you complete this semester successfully and move closer toward completion of your degree. If, at any time, you are feeling overwhelmed or need assistance, you should reach out for help! We are here for you.

Your current academic performance may directly impact your future eligibility for financial aid programs. You should refer to the Satisfactory Academic Progress policy which is published on the college’s website. Please contact the Financial Aid Office if you have any questions or concerns.

MACC understands that many of our students experienced a hardship during the spring 2020 semester as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and we will make every effort to ease the burden of re-establishing SAP standards for a student’s subsequent semester of enrollment.

The CARES Act allows MACC to exclude the Pace of Completion requirement if a student withdrew from courses after March 13, 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 national emergency. Students who have not met the SAP standards for the spring 2020 semester as a result of Pace of Completion may complete a modified SAP Appeal to explain their circumstances for withdrawing from classes after March 13, 2020. This SAP appeal is not applicable for a student who did not meet SAP standards due to cumulative grade point average (CGPA). If a student does not the meet the SAP standards for CGPA, or CGPA and Pace combined, they must complete the traditional Academic Progress Appeal form.

The SAP Appeal Due to COVID-19 form is available on our website here: SAP Appeal Due to COVID-19 form

The traditional SAP Appeal form is available here: Traditional SAP Appeal form   SAP Policy

How do I complete a Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Appeal remotely?

If your eligibility for federal/state financial aid has been suspended due to SAP issues, you may complete a financial aid SAP appeal to request your eligibility be reinstated. You should contact your academic advisor for assistance with your academic plan. You will be responsible for returning all contents of the appeal to the Financial Aid Office for review. You may email your appeal and supporting documents to FinancialAidOffice@macc.edu or fax them to 660-269-9538. Please be sure to include your student ID and not your Social Security Number when submitting documents in order to help protect your identity.

May I continue in my federal work-study job?

*UPDATED 04/01/2020*
MACC’s administrative council is supportive of paying FWS students who are unable to work because the college closed due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. At this time, the dates of consideration for “COVID-19 pay” include March 16 – April 26, as these are the dates the campuses are scheduled to be closed (excluding dates of spring break if the student was not scheduled to work during that period). If the college remains closed until the end of the spring semester, and students are unable to return to their regular FWS jobs on campus, the student will continue to receive COVID-19 pay for their regular schedule.

If there are job responsibilities that may be performed remotely, the supervisor may coordinate those tasks with the student directly; an example of this work includes tutoring. However, a student should not be penalized if their job responsibilities cannot be performed remotely.

How/When do I apply for financial aid for summer?

You should apply now! For most programs, you will need to submit the 2019-2020 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to start the financial aid process. The deadline to complete the 2019-2020 FAFSA is June 30, 2020. If you have not completed the FAFSA yet, do it now at fafsa.gov. Loan applications are available on the Financial Aid Office Forms page.

You should also review the Summer Financial Aid Guide for program specific guidelines. You can access the guide from the college’s website.

I need help with my financial aid applications for fall 2020?

Our financial aid staff is available and ready to help you! Submit your questions to us at FinancialAidOffice@macc.edu. We will typically respond within 24 hours.

We are also offering appointments via Zoom. Just send your request to FinancialAidOffice@macc.edu and someone from our staff will reach out to schedule a mutually convenient time for the Zoom meeting.

Financial aid checklist and forms are available on our website at https://www.macc.edu/financial-aid.

Who should I contact if I cannot afford a computer for distance learning?

You should contact your instructor or academic advisor to seek support for your online coursework. Students receiving financial aid may also contact the Financial Aid Office to inquire about borrowing a student loan for the expense.

Will staff be available if I have questions?

Our financial aid staff is available and ready to help you! Submit your questions to us at FinancialAidOffice@macc.edu. We will typically respond within 24 hours.

We are also offering appointments via Zoom. Just send your request to FinancialAidOffice@macc.edu and someone from our staff will reach out to schedule a mutually convenient time for the Zoom meeting.

Where should I go if I need food and shelter?

There is help for you if you need it. We have created a list of agencies located throughout our service region that provide a variety of services which can be used to help our students and employees during the COVID-19 Pandemic (https://www.macc.edu/community-resources-for-food-shelter). You may also refer to United Way’s 2-1-1 for immediate information or you may also check out FindHelp.org which find food assistance, pay bills, and other free and reduced cost programs to help families during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

You should also check out information about free services available for our students and their families through our Student Assistance Program (https://www.macc.edu/student-assistance-program). There are a wide range of services, including stress reduction, crisis counseling and health coaching.

My family is experiencing a financial hardship due to loss of income as a result of COVID-19 and our income is less than what was reported on my FAFSA?
(NEW 04/01/2020)

If your 2020 income will be drastically lower than the income reported on the 2020-21 FAFSA (fall 2020/spring 2021 academic year), we recommend reviewing MACC Unusual Circumstances Appeal (available on the Financial Aid Office’s Forms Page) and discuss your situation with the Financial Aid Office.

Coronavirus and Forbearance Information for Students, Borrowers, and Parents (NEW 04/01/2020)

The U.S. Department of Education (ED) office of Federal Student Aid is actively monitoring the new coronavirus/COVID-19 outbreak, and have created a web page for student and parent borrowers addressing several provisions of the CARES Act. If you’re concerned about your studies or loan repayment, this resource may be able to help you understand what to do in certain circumstances.
https://studentaid.gov/announcements-events/coronavirus

How will I complete In-Person Student Loan Entrance Counseling while the college is closed? (NEW 04/01/2020)

If you are a first-time loan borrower at Moberly Area Community College, you MUST attend an in-person loan counseling session in addition to the on-line student loan entrance counseling at www.studentloans.gov.

While the college is closed, MACC’s financial aid team will continue to host In-Person Counseling sessions via Zoom, which is an App that be easily downloaded on your computer or cell phone. You may check the schedule and Zoom Room information here: https://www.macc.edu/financial-aid-types/loans/58-services/financial-aid/763-student-loan-entrance-counseling

Bright Flight Eligibility for 2020 Seniors (NEW 04/01/2020)

The Bright Flight Scholarship requires students to achieve a qualifying ACT or SAT score by the June national test date of their senior year in high school. However, the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development is extending the date on which 2020 seniors may achieve a qualifying ACT score for the Bright Flight Scholarship to the July national test date. The 2020 seniors who achieve a qualifying ACT score on the July national test date and who are otherwise eligible can receive the scholarship.

A+ High School Eligibility for 2020 Seniors (NEW 04/01/2020)

Grade Point Average. To be eligible for the A+ Scholarship, students must graduate from high school with a 2.5 cumulative grade point average. Since school closures may negatively impact seniors’ spring 2020 GPA and thus the cumulative GPA at graduation, 2020 seniors who have a 2.5 cumulative grade point average at the end of either the fall 2019 or spring 2020 semesters will be eligible. Some school districts are moving to a pass/fail grading system for the current semester, which would result in no GPA calculation for that period. This could negatively impact some students that are near the 2.5 CGPA cutoff and who would have likely achieved eligibility as a result of their performance in the spring. As a consequence, and only for students in districts that have or will move to a pass/fail grading system for the spring semester, the district may use the student’s CGPA at the time classes were halted or the student’s CGPA at the third quarter break.

50 Hours of Unpaid Tutoring/Mentoring. The A+ Scholarship requires students to complete 50 hours of unpaid tutoring or mentoring. For the 2020 seniors, the number of tutoring/mentoring hours has been reduced temporarily to 25 to accommodate those students who are unable to complete 50 hours prior to high school graduation. The high school’s A+ policy should outline acceptable methods of meeting this requirement.

Algebra I EOC. This requirement is waived for all 2020 high school seniors, including those who have already taken the exam but did not meet the requirement as well as those who have not yet taken the exam. Waiver of this requirement also exempts the 2020 seniors from having to meet the ACT math subscore/high school GPA alternative.