Adjustment to the Aid Package

In addition to aid available from the college, financial aid is available from a variety of sources. Such agencies have their own criteria for eligibility funding and limits.

Students should be aware that the various agencies and the college will determine awards at different times and independently of each other. Students must report all scholarships, grants, etc. to the Financial Aid Office.

In cases where students receive more than one award, the aid package may need to be adjusted in order to comply with federal regulations and individual program guidelines. With the variety of agencies controlling funds, the need to make adjustments is becoming more common.

Students and their parents should understand that the acceptance of any award is always subject to adjustment in order to comply with the federal regulations and the guidelines of any program from which funds are received. Awards may be prorated or eliminated based on the student's actual enrollment  and other awards.

The amount of each student's federal award is based upon established need. A student's financial aid package is awarded in the following order: (1) Federal Pell Grant (2) external sources of scholarships and grants, (3) institutional scholarships & grants, (4) FSEOG, (5) Federal Work-Study, and (6) Federal Stafford Loans.

Financial Aid Census Day

Financial Aid Census Dates are the days that GCCC will take a "snapshot" of student's enrollment for the semester.

• Fall 2026: September 14, 2026
• Spring 2027: February 12, 2027
• Summer 2026: June 11, 2026

If students enroll less than full-time (12 credit hours per semester), their award package will be prorated or could result in no award. To be counted toward the enrollment level for grant purposes students must be enrolled in the classes as of the census date even if the class(es) have a start date that is later in the semeseter. If students add classes after the Financial Aid Census Day they will not be counted for grant payment purposes. If students drop classes after the Financial Aid Census Day (as long as they don't drop all classes) they ordinarily will not owe any of the grants already disbursed back to GCCC. However, if students drop too many classes it could affect Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) status by lowering the pace/completion rate.

Pell Grant Enrollment Intensity

Enrollment intensity is a percentage that represents credit hours enrolled on census day compared to a full-time enrollment. Pell Grant award will now be pro-rated based on  actual credit hours enrolled as of census day. Chart below is only for the Federal Pell Grant.

2024-25 Enrolled Credit Hours
12+	100%
11	92%
10	83%
9	75%
8	67%
7	58%
6	50%
5	42%
4	33%
3	25%
2	17%
1	8%

 

Financial aid is disbursed a minimum of twice a year, normally in late September and again in late February for regular session classes. Summer disbursement dates vary. Disbursements will be made after the student’s enrollment has been certified by the Records Office. Financial aid credit balances are issued by the Business Office via electronic refund or check. Students can opt-in for electronic refunds by logging into myGCCC, select the myStudent Account tile, go to "My Profile Setup" and selecting "Electronic Refunds". Checks can be picked up at the Business Office located in the administration building. Normal office hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (M-Th) and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (F) during the regular term, and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (M-Th) and 8 a.m. to 12 noon (F) during the summer term. Students are notified via their BusterMail (student email) when an electronic or check refund is available. Refund checks not picked up within 14 days of notification will be mailed to the student.

New Changes 2026-2027

FEDERAL PELL GRANT: Beginning with the 2026-2027 academic year students that are receiving enough non-federal grants and scholarships to cover 100% or more of their estimated cost of attendance (COA) will no longer be eligible for Federal Pell Grant.

FEDERAL DIRECT SUBSIDIZED/UNSUBSIDIZED LOANS: Beginning with the 2026-2027 academic year students enrolled less than full-time and borrowing federal direct loans will have their loan amount prorated based on enrollment. Decreases in enrollment at any point during the academic year can have an impact on a student's future disbursement amount.

FEDERAL DIRECT PARENT PLUS LOANS: Effective July 1, 2026 there are annual and lifetime aggregate limits on Parent Plus loans. Parents of dependent undergraduate students will be able to borrow up to $20,000 per academic year for their student (dependent upon cost of attendance minus other student aid received) AND up to $65,000 over that student’s academic career.

Refund Date is the day that the GCCC Business Office will refund any excess financial aid and/or scholarships that have been disbursed onto a student’s account. To receive a refund sooner, please opt into electronic refunds through your self-service, under refunds.

ADDITONAL RESOURCES

More information about Cost of Attendance can be found here

Budget/Cost of Attendance

Professional Judgement/Special Circumstance

If students or their families have unusual circumstances that merit consideration in regard to the financial aid application, they should contact the Financial Aid Office. These might include changes related to family size, reduction in earnings or loss of other income, one-time income, excessive out-of-pocket medical expenses, etc.

Federal financial aid regulations allow financial aid administrators to adjust your cost of attendance if you have special circumstances/expenses which your current estimated cost of attendance does not cover. To determine if adjustments can be made to your set cost of attendance, please contact the Financial Aid Office. Requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

When students do not begin attendance and/or withdraw from class(es), they may owe a federal financial aid refund.

Return to Title IV Example

Has your Financial Situation Changed?

Student Rights & Responsibilities

Students have the right to know: the financial aid programs that are available; the deadline for submitting applications for each financial aid program; how financial aid will be distributed; how financial need was determined; what resources were considered in the calculation of the need; how most of the financial need as determined has been met; Garden City Community College's refund policy; what portion is grant aid; how the school determines whether students are making satisfactory progress and what happens if they are not making satisfactory progress.

Students have the responsibility: to complete forms accurately and submit them on time; to provide correct and complete information; to return all additional documentation, correction or new information requested by the Financial Aid Office or the agency to which the applications were submitted; to read and understand all forms they are asked to sign and to keep copies; to perform the work that is agreed upon in accepting a work study award; to be aware of the school's refund procedure; to repay all loans in accordance with the repayment schedule; and to inform the Financial Aid Office of any changes in enrollment, name, address, and marital status.

Academic Programs & Faculty

Descriptions of the academic and technical programs offered at Garden City Community College, the list of the administration and faculty and the college accrediting agencies may be found in the current issue of the college catalog.

Accomodations

GCCC Accomodations Page

Non-Discrimination Policy

According to the requirements of Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974, the Elliot-Larsen Civil Rights Act, and Executive Order 11246, Garden City Community College does not discriminate against applicants, employees or students on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, height, weight, marital status or handicap, nor will sexual harassment be tolerated in its employment practices and/or educational programs or activities. Those concerned about the above should contact the Equal Opportunity Compliance Officer, Garden City Community College, 801 Campus Drive, Garden City, Kansas 67846.

Student's Right-To-Know/Campus Security Act

GCCC adheres to the Student's Right-To-Know and Campus Security Act (Public Law 101-542). Current statistics are available upon request through the Admissions Office and Athletic Director's office.

Misrepresentation Information

Information about institutional grievance procedures may be found in the following link: Policy

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Important Disclosures Related to Title IV Aid

NSLDS Disclosure Statement

Students and/or parents who enter into an agreement regarding a Title IV loan are advised that the loan information will submitted to the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS), and will be accessible by guaranty agencies, lenders, and schools determined to be authorized users of the data system.

The National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) is the U.S. Department of Education's central database for student aid. NSLDS receives data from schools, guaranty agencies, the Direct Loan program, and other Department of ED programs.

NSLDS Student Access provides a centralized, integrated view of Title IV loans and grants so that recipients of Title IV Aid can access and inquire about their Title IV loans and/or grant data. Students and/or parents can access their personal loan/grant information at studentaid.gov

Additional Financial Aid Assistance

Veterans Administration Benefits: Veterans, spouses and children of disabled or deceased veterans may qualify for special education benefits. Students should contact their local Veterans Administration Office for forms and further information. Any and all VA benefits received must be reported to the Registrar's Office.

Veterans Benefit Page

Vocational Rehabilitation: Students with physical or emotional disabilities may qualify for special assistance. Students should contact the division of Vocational Rehabilitation, Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services in their area.

Financial Aid Legislative Update

Garden City Community College is committed to providing accurate and timely updates on how new legislation may impact your financial aid.

ONE BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL ACT (OBBBA)

Signed into law: July 4, 2025

The OBBBA is the budget reconciliation package that was approved by Congress that includes a broad range of changes to federal financial aid, effective the 2026-2027 academic year.

Key Changes to Federal Financial Aid:

FEDERAL PELL GRANT: Beginning with the 2026-2027 academic year students that are receiving enough non-federal grants and scholarships to cover 100% or more of their estimated cost of attendance (COA) will no longer be eligible for Federal Pell Grant.

FEDERAL DIRECT SUBSIDIZED/UNSUBSIDIZED LOANS: Beginning with the 2026-2027 academic year students enrolled less than full-time and borrowing federal direct loans will have their loan amount prorated based on enrollment. Decreases in enrollment at any point during the academic year can have an impact on a student's future disbursement amount.

FEDERAL DIRECT PARENT PLUS LOANS: Effective July 1, 2026 there are annual and lifetime aggregate limits on Parent Plus loans. Parents of dependent undergraduate students will be able to borrow up to $20,000 per academic year for their student (dependent upon cost of attendance minus other student aid received) AND up to $65,000 over that student’s academic career.

ADDITONAL RESOURCES