Expenses and Financial Aid

Tuition and Fees*

(*All costs subject to change)

In-State students

Out-of-State students (and Out-of-Country)

Housing (Raymond and Utica Campuses only)

Meals

Other Charges

Other Expenses that may be incurred

In addition to usual registration expenses, other expenses may be incurred by students during the semester. The following are examples of charges that may be payable when incurred:

Credit Card/Online Payment

Hinds Community College accepts cash, check, Hinds Debit Card, American Express, Discover, MasterCard or Visa for tuition and fees. Students may pay tuition and fees online at My.Hinds, in person at a Hinds Business Office, or set up an automatic payment plan in My.Hinds.  A payment is plan is available for fall, spring and summer semesters/terms. See Your Way to Pay for more information.

Payment of Registration Expenses Required according to the date set by the college:

The payment of charges for tuition, fees, room, and board is part of the registration process. All fees are due according to the scheduled date set by the college. Thus, Hinds requires each registered student to have completed one of the following steps:

1. Paid fees in full or
2. Entered into a payment plan for the current outstanding account balance on My.Hinds. For log-in instructions, visit www.hindscc.edu or
3. Have completed all financial aid forms and have a financial aid award amount that can pay all outstanding fees.

Failure to complete one of these steps may result in deletion of your class schedule. A student will then have to re-register for classes which may result in inconvenient times, sections, or locations once payment is made. 

Web Payment at My.Hinds on the College website at www.hindscc.edu:

My.Hinds allows students to use the latest technology to complete business transactions with the College at any time. Students may check their account balances or pay tuition and various fees by using a credit or debit card.  Parents wanting to access this feature must obtain the student’s login ID and password for the My.Hinds site from their student.

Method of Payment:

Payment of fees may be made online using Hinds Debit Card, American Express, Discover, Visa or MasterCard on My.Hinds. At each campus you may visit the business office which accepts credit cards, money orders, travelers checks, paper checks (subject to approval by Telecheck), and cash.

Payment Plan:

Hinds offers a tuition and fees payment plan which helps in budgeting college costs but requires financial planning by students and their families. Full-time students and part-time students with more than 3 hours will qualify to enroll in the monthly payment plan which will include the cost for tuition, fees, housing, and meals. The deferred payment plan requires the student to:

1. Be enrolled in at least 6 hours
2. Have a valid FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) on file (not yet awarded)
3. Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress

Students are required to pay all previous term balances to complete the registration process. Students who elect to participate in the payment plan must log in to their My.Hinds account to enroll and complete the necessary documents.  See Financial Aid on the College website for more information.

Once the monthly agreement is completed, the student will be immediately charged a $25 set up fee (per semester non-refundable service fee) along with the down-payment amount.  Payments thereafter are processed on the 5^th of the month and continue until the balance is paid in full.  The deferred agreement will be charged a $25 set-up fee along with the first scheduled payment on the 20^th of the month and continue until the balance is paid in full.

Failure to make timely payments according to the agreement will result in the student’s restriction from future class registration, possibly having the account assigned to a collection agency, and non-release of transcripts.

Clearance of Obligations:

All financial or other obligations to the College must be cleared prior to the end of each semester or term. An outstanding balance for a prior semester or term must be paid before the student will be allowed to register for subsequent semesters or terms. Transcripts will not be issued if financial obligations have not been satisfied. Failure to meet financial obligations to the College could subject the student to additional late payment charges, as well as collection costs.

Withholding of Funds:

If there is an outstanding account balance, and the College has in its possession any funds payable to the student, the College reserves the right to withhold funds necessary to pay the outstanding balance and cover any collection costs incurred. Once accounts are paid, any remaining balance will be refunded to the student.

Student Loans:

Student loans are disbursed in two (2) equal amounts each semester or term. All student loans are disbursed electronically.

Student Financial Aid Refunds:

Each registered Hinds student will receive a BankMobile letter that will include a website and a unique personal code for the purpose of selecting their disbursement method.  After all charges are paid, the balance of a student’s refund is credited to their refund selection in quarterly payments during each semester.  If a student selects the Hinds Debit Card, it will be mailed to the student, using the address on file with the College, approximately 3 or 4 weeks into the semester. To receive any refunds from the College, a student must have a refund selection. During the activation, the student will choose how to receive his or her refund money. Students have the following options:

1. Once the College releases the funds, they can be directly deposited (ACH) to a third party bank account of the student’s choice (2 - 3 business days)
   If students choose to have their refund electronically deposited to an already existing bank account, the transfer may take 2-3 business days from the day the College releases the funds. Students will receive an e-mail once their refund has been processed. In order to have a refund deposited to their bank account, students will select the preference ACH, a third party bank choice at www.refundselection.com.
2. Once the College releases the funds, they can be directly deposited to the student’s Vibe Account (1 day or less)
   The Vibe account from BankMobile is a fully functioning FDIC insured free checking account that allows students quick and easy access to their refunds. The Vibe account has no minimum balance, no monthly fees, and free internet banking features. With the Vibe account, students can use their Hinds Debit Card to make purchases anywhere Debit MasterCard is accepted. Students will have the option to receive an e-mail when their refund has been directly deposited to their Vibe account. Students may view detailed activity of their Vibe account by accessing their Vibe account statement online at www.refundselection.com.
3. Once the College releases the funds, if the student has not selected a refund disbursement method, a check will be issued by BankMobile and sent to the student address on file.

Regardless of how students want to receive their refunds, they use their personal code online at www.refundselection.com to make that refund delivery choice.

Withdrawals and Refunds:

Complete withdrawal:

Prior to Classes Starting

Students officially withdrawing prior to the start of a term will not be held liable for fees (other than nonrefundable fees). Students who have paid tuition can use My.Hinds to remove themselves from all classes.

After Classes Have Started

Students must complete an official withdrawal form in the appropriate counseling office. In addition, the student must be current on their payment plan or pay any fees owed within 14 days of billing. Withdrawal from classes may result in the loss of financial aid previously applied. Students receiving Federal Title IV funds (Pell Grants, FSEOG, and William D. Ford Loans) that withdraw from school will earn only a percentage of their award based on the last day of attendance through 60% of the semester. If the amount disbursed to the student is greater than the amount the student earned, the student may owe money back to Hinds. The liability for fees will not be excused for withdrawals effective after the start of the semester.

Refunds:

Students having made prior payment will be refunded the amount paid less their liability (the amount owed) after the withdrawal. Students suspended for disciplinary reasons are not eligible for refunds or reductions in liability. Refunds will be applied to any outstanding obligations and to any scholarship, grant, or loan received for the semester. The refund policy is as follows:

Tuition and Fees:

• 100% refund if complete withdrawal is initiated before the start of On-Campus/MSVCC courses.
• 75% refund if complete withdrawal is initiated during the drop/add period of the student’s first course start date of On-Campus/MSVCC courses.

Housing Fees:

• 75% refund before the sixth calendar day after On-Campus classes begin
• 50% refund before the eleventh calendar day after On-Campus classes begin

Meal Plans:

• Students withdrawing from residence halls during the semester may be refunded all full weeks remaining on the meal ticket period upon properly checking out of the residence halls.

Students who are Placed in Active Military Status:

Any student who has enrolled at Hinds Community College under the governance of the Board of Trustees, who is a member of the Mississippi National Guard, or one or more units of the Mississippi State Guard, or who is a member of any of the reserve components of the armed forces of the United States, and who has been placed in active duty status by orders of the President of the United States, or who has been drafted into any component of the armed forces of the United States, may be allowed to withdraw as a student of the college without academic penalty, with a full tuition refund, out-of-state fees (if applicable), student fees and any special fees, with room and board fees prorated pending the approval of the President. 

The College will use distance learning technologies and other educational methodologies, to the extent possible, to enable active duty military students, under the guidance of faculty and administrative staff, to complete their course requirements. 

Any student who has completed at least seventy-five percent (75%) of the semester and is in good standing with the college, and who needs only to take the final examination to complete the semester, has the option to leave the College pursuant to this policy, without their class standing affected, and without refund of any of the above fees or tuition.  However, within ninety (90) days after release from active duty, the student must make arrangements to take the final examination.  The score on the final exam plus the finished semester’s work will constitute the student’s final grade.

Change in Regulations or Expenses:

All financial regulations, fees, or charges are subject to change as conditions warrant.

Financial Aid

General Requirements

Financial assistance is provided to students who have met admission requirements of the college and is to be used for educational purposes. For the student to be eligible to continue receiving Federal financial aid, he/she must file a yearly Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

In order to receive financial aid from any Federal or Mississippi Student Financial Aid Program, the student must make satisfactory progress in his/her program of study according to Hinds Community College Policy for Satisfactory Academic Progress. A student with an “unsatisfactory” status with Financial Aid, in student loan default, or owing a Federal overpayment is not eligible for Federal, State or Institutional financial aid.

Funds for financial aid come from Federal Government Programs, Hinds Community College, the State of Mississippi, individuals, and local civic organizations. The amount of money available for each award year depends upon the amount of money made available for the institution from these sources.

Federal Financial Aid Only Available to High School Graduates and High School Equivalency (GED^®, HiSET^®, TASC^™, or Mississippi Competency-Based High School Equivalency) Graduates

Students without a high school diploma or high school equivalency diploma (GED^®, HiSET^®, TASC^™, or Mississippi Competency-Based High School Equivalency) are welcome to enroll in career programs once admission requirements are met.  Federal financial aid may be available to students who complete the “ability to benefit” requirements for career pathway programs.  Students that are in high school and take dual-credit/dual-enrollment classes are not eligible for financial aid.

How to Apply

To be considered for any type of financial aid listed below under Federal or State Programs, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online at www.studentaid.gov. The Office of Financial Aid will electronically receive the results of the FAFSA approximately three to five days after the student applies, provided Hinds’ Title IV school code 002407 is submitted on the FAFSA. The student will be notified by mail and email if any additional documents are required. Financial Aid will be awarded to each student based on the individual’s need. Each student is considered for all types of aid and awarded accordingly. Early filing of the FAFSA will ensure sufficient time to study the needs of each student.

Return of Title IV Funds

Special rules apply when students withdraw from classes after receiving Title IV financial aid funds from any of the following federal programs:

• Federal Pell Grant (PELL)
• Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
• William D. Ford Direct Loan Program* (Subsidized & Unsubsidized Loans)
• Federal PLUS Loan (borrowed on the student’s behalf)

The Higher Education Amendments of 1998 define “Withdrawals” as failure to complete the period of attendance for which federal aid eligibility was based and “Unofficial Withdrawals” as when students simply stop attending class. Therefore, this policy affects not only those students who complete the formal withdrawal process, but also those students who simply stop attending classes. In either case, when a recipient of Title IV financial aid funds ceases attendance during a term, the College must calculate how much aid was earned and unearned by the student.

These rules are federally mandated and the amount of aid a student has earned for the enrollment period is based on the length of time the student remained enrolled for that period. If a student withdraws on or before the 60% point of the enrollment period, the student may not have earned all of the financial aid that they received.  Excess financial aid funds must be returned to Title IV within 45 days of the date the school determined that the student withdrew.  A student who remains enrolled beyond the 60% point of the enrollment period has earned 100% of the federal grant aid for that period. Hinds Community College will return all unearned Title IV financial aid funds to the Department of Education. The amount of returned funds will be charged back to the student’s college account in the Business Office. Funds will be returned to the applicable Title IV financial aid programs in the following order:

1. Federal Unsubsidized Loan
2. Subsidized Loan
3. PLUS Loan
4. Federal Pell Grant
5. Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant

All withdrawals (official and unofficial) are determined by the institution utilizing a routine report that identifies all Title IV financial aid recipients that have received a grade of “WP” or “WF”. The Return to Title IV calculation will be completed using the student’s last date of attendance in all classes. After this calculation has been completed, the student may be entitled to a post-withdrawal disbursement which must be sent to the student within 45 days of the date the school determined the student withdrew. This type of disbursement is received after the student has withdrawn from school but has earned a greater percentage of aid than has been disbursed to them.

*Students must be enrolled and attending at least six (6) semester hours in order to receive a loan disbursement.

Federal Programs

Mississippi Student Programs

PLEASE NOTE: 
Beginning with the Fall 2017 term, all undergraduate students will receive state grant aid through only one state grant program.  Students who were previously eligible for aid through multiple programs will be awarded through the single program that awards the largest amount.  Therefore, students eligible for both the Mississippi Eminent Scholars Grand (MESG) and the Mississippi Resident Tuition Assistance Grand (MTAG) will receive MESG only.  Similarly, students eligible for both the Higher Education Legislative Plan for Needy Students Grant (HELP) and MTAG will receive HELP only.

Also beginning with the Fall 2017 term, academic eligibility will be reviewed at the end of every term, not only at the end of the academic year, for all programs.  Students must establish and maintain the required GPA every term to continue to receive state aid.  A 3.5 cumulative GPA is required for continued receipt of MESG, and a 2.5 cumulative GPA is required for continued receipt of HELP as well as MTAG.

If you have any questions, please call 800.327.2980 or email via the contact form at www.msfinancialaid.org

Policy on Satisfactory Academic Progress

Hinds Community College is required by federal regulations to establish minimum standards of satisfactory academic progress (SAP) to determine a student’s eligibility for the following Title IV Federal Financial Aid programs:

• Federal Pell Grant (PELL)
• William D. Ford Direct Loan Program (SUB & UNSUB)
• Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
• Parent Plus Loan (PLUS)
• Federal College Work-Study (FWS)

Hinds Community College has determined that all students fall under the same Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy.  To receive and maintain financial assistance, a student must make satisfactory progress toward the completion of an eligible academic, technical, or career program of study. The following policy is in compliance with federal guidelines for Satisfactory Academic Progress:

To Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress, a student must meet the following conditions:

1. A student must pass 2/3 of cumulative semester hours attempted. This includes withdrawn and repeated class hours.  
2. A student must also maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) based on semesters attempted as outlined in the chart below:

Changing Majors

Students regaining Title IV eligibility after changing programs will have a restriction placed on their approved class schedule in their new program of study.  Changes to their class schedule (dropping or adding classes) must have prior approval from the Office of Financial Aid as these changes could impact their financial aid eligibility.  Students should contact the Financial Aid Advisor for Appeals prior to making changes to their class schedule. 

Unsatisfactory Status Appeals Process

Students regaining Title IV eligibility after their appeal is approved will have a restriction placed on their approved class schedule.  Changes to their class schedule (dropping or adding classes) must have prior approval from the Office of Financial Aid as these changes could impact their financial aid eligibility.  Students should contact the Financial Aid Advisor for Appeals prior to making changes to their class schedule. 
 

Veterans Benefits

The Office of Veterans Services is available to assist all eligible veterans and dependents/spouses in making application for benefits. Academic, technical, and career courses are open (unless otherwise specified in program description) to students in either of the above categories. Every effort is made to facilitate admission into the student’s choice of programs.

Applications for the Montgomery G.I. Bill may be initiated online.  For additional information call 601.857.3226 or 1.800.HINDSCC.

Admission

Students who plan to receive Veterans Benefits must satisfy the college’s admission requirements as outlined in the Admissions  section of this Catalog before enrollment certifications can be sent to the Veterans Affairs Regional Processing Center in Muskogee, OK.  In addition, all transcripts from all schools previously attended must be furnished in order to comply with the regulations of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Registration

Students receiving Veterans Benefits must at all times have a definite program of study and be enrolled in courses leading to completion of the designated program at Hinds Community College. Only these courses can be represented on an enrollment certification and calculated toward the student’s Rate of Pursuit.

All Veterans Benefits recipients are required to see a college counselor to plan their course of study prior to the beginning of each enrollment period.

Every student must file a Certification Request for Veterans Benefits at Hinds Community College for EACH enrollment period. Certification requests for Veterans Benefits at Hinds Community College can be obtained at the Office of Veterans Services on the Raymond Campus, at any Academic counselor’s office, or on the Hinds Community College Veterans Services website.

In any case where a student is taking courses outside of his/her published program, it is the responsibility of the student to present the required documentation to have that course credited to their Rate of Pursuit. Any of these documents will be considered acceptable documentation:

• A copy of the approved course substitution form,
• An official letter signed by the Department Head for the specific program, approving the course toward student’s declared Program of Study, or
• An official letter signed by an Academic Counselor approving the course toward a student’s declared Program of Study

Credit for Service Training

Students who served in the Armed Forces are encouraged to have an official Military transcript sent to the Office of Admissions and Records. Educational work done by veterans while in active service is evaluated and credit given when possible. The recommendation of the American Council on Education in its handbook, Guide To The Evaluation Of Educational Experiences in the Armed Services, is considered for the evaluation of military coursework.

Probation and Suspension

Students receiving veterans benefits are expected to maintain the same standards of satisfactory progress as all other students.

NOTE: Policies stated for veterans comply with regulations 14253, 14277, 14278, Department of Veterans Affairs.

Changing Enrollment Status

Students receiving veterans benefits must notify the Office of Veterans Services whenever there is a change in their enrollment (i.e., dropped, withdrawn, canceled and added courses). Students who fail to comply with this regulation will be liable for repayment of any resulting over payments. (See policy below concerning over-payments.)

Once the student’s class schedule has been certified to the Veterans Administration (VA), the Office of Veterans Services will place a restriction on the student’s class schedule. Changes to a class schedule after this certification could impact the benefits that the students will receive. Therefore, students receiving benefits must contact the Office of Veterans Services prior to making any changes to their class schedule (dropping or adding classes) since these changes must be reported to the VA.

Tuition and Fee Payments under Post 9/11 GI Bill

Student benefits vary under the Post 9/11 GI Bill.  Each student’s appropriated tuition and fee payment will be sent to Hinds Community College by the Department of Veterans Affairs.  The HCC Office of Veterans Services will submit the appropriate charges no earlier than the last day to drop/add a course for each semester.  Students are responsible for charges due to the College above those covered by their Post 9/11 GI Bill, as well as making payments prior to the due date assigned by the College.  Students could be penalized or deregistered for non-payment of charges that are not covered by their GI Bill.

Explanation of the Military Tuition Assistance Refund Policy

Military Tuition Assistance (TA) is awarded to a service member under the assumption that the service member will attend school for the entire period for which the assistance is awarded.  When a student withdraws from a course or from Hinds Community College, they may no longer be eligible for the full amount. 

Hinds returns unearned military tuition assistance funds on a proportional basis through at least the 60% portion of the term for which they were provided, regardless of the reason for withdrawal (service-related or otherwise).  Any unearned TA funds will be returned directly to the military service, not to the service member.  Hinds will work with service members that stop attending due to a military service obligation, to identify solutions that will not result in a student debt for the returned portion.

TA eligibility will be recalculated for students who officially withdraw from a course prior to completing 60% of the enrollment period.  The official last date of attendance is used to determine the number of days completed.  Recalculation of eligibility is based on the percentage of TA benefits earned using the following chart.

The Department of Defense requires that a college return any unearned TA applied to institutional charges.  The student will then owe the College the amount that was earned. A service member withdrawing after completion of 60% of the enrollment period would be eligible for all Military Tuition Assistance.

Delayed Payment Policy

Any covered individual may attend or participate in their course of education at Hinds Community College during the period beginning on the date on which the individual provides to the College VA Certifying Official a certificate of eligibility for entitlement to educational assistance under either Chapter 31 or Chapter 33 and ending on the earlier of either: (a) the date on which payment from VA is made to the institution, or (b) 90 days after the date the institution certified tuition and fees following the receipt of the certificate of eligibility.  

Under this policy, Hinds Community College will not impose any penalty, including the assessment of late fees; denial of access to classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities; or the requirement that a covered individual borrow additional funds because of the student’s inability to pay for tuition due to a delayed disbursement from the VA under Chapter 31 or 33. 

Department of Veterans Affairs Overpayment Policies

Student Actions That Result in Overpayments

1. Withdrawing from a course or school.
2. Receiving a grade which does not count toward your graduation requirements.
3. Failure to have an incomplete grade changed to a grade which counts toward your graduation requirements.

VA Actions Once an Overpayment is Created

1. Add interest charges and collection fees to your debt.
2. Withhold future benefits and apply them to your debt.
3. Turn your debt over to a private collection agency.
4. File suit in federal court to collect your debt.
5. Withhold approval of your VA home loan guarantee.
6. Collect the debt from your federal income tax refund.

Explanation of Mitigating Circumstances

The law requires that the VA must collect all benefits paid to a beneficiary for a course for which the grade assigned is not used in computing the requirements for graduation including a course from which the beneficiary withdraws, unless there are mitigating circumstances.

This means if a student drops a course, unless he/she can show the VA that there are mitigating circumstances, they must return all the money paid to them for pursuit of that course from the start of the term, not merely from the date you dropped the course.

Examples of acceptable mitigating circumstances are prolonged illness, severe illness or death in your immediate family, or unscheduled changes in your employment or work schedule.

Examples of unacceptable mitigating circumstances include withdrawal to avoid a failing grade, dislike of instructor or too many courses attempted.

NOTE: Student is required to submit evidence to support circumstances before he/she can be considered as having acceptable mitigating circumstances by the VA.
 

Hinds Community College Scholarships

Hinds Community College Scholarship Policies

The following policies have been established for administering Hinds Community College and Foundation scholarships.  Specific scholarships may have additional requirements.

Eligibility Criteria:

1. Have a standard high school diploma or high school equivalency diploma (GED^®, HiSET^®, TASC^™, or Mississippi Competency-Based High School Equivalency)
2. Submit all admission documents to Hinds Community College
3. Be currently admitted to Hinds Community College
4. Must not have an unsatisfactory academic progress status

Requirements for students to receive Hinds Community College and Foundation Scholarships:

1. Satisfy the requirements for the specific Hinds Community College scholarship
2. Enroll in and be marked present in a minimum of 15 credit hours every semester. Presence must be recorded after the drop/add period for the student to be considered enrolled in 15 or more hours. NOTE: Scholarship funds for the current semester and following semesters will be forfeited if students do not enroll in and have their presence recorded in 15 or more hours after the drop/add period.
3. Submit a Payment and Policy Notification form to the Office of Financial Aid.  The form may be accessed within a student’s My.Hinds account.

Requirements for students to retain Hinds Community College and Foundation Scholarships:

1. Must successfully complete 12 or more credit hours during the semester in which the student is receiving the scholarship.
2. Must maintain the cumulative grade point average required by the individual department awarding the scholarship.  A cumulative GPA includes all credit hours attempted at Hinds Community College, including credit hours while dual enrolled.
3. Any student who does not complete all of the requirements to retain their award will forfeit his/her scholarship for future semesters unless an appeal is filed with and approved by the appropriate person. (See list below). In these instances, students will not be required to pay back any tuition portion of their scholarship and no refunds will be issued to these students.
4. Scholarships can be awarded for no more than four semesters unless prior approval is granted.  However, the amount, as well as the number of semesters a scholarship may be awarded may vary and is determined by each department.
5. Students receiving scholarships must attend Hinds CC in consecutive fall/spring semesters.  (Exceptions to this requirement: students participating in the Cooperative Education Program must get special permission from the Scholarship Committee to continue their scholarship when they are working alternate semesters.)

Awarding of Hinds Community College and Foundation Scholarships:

1. Scholarship awards will be applied to the student’s account, providing all admission requirements have been met and student does not have an unsatisfactory academic progress status.
2. The appropriate award amount will begin transmitting to the eligible student’s account 10 days prior to the first day of classes to pay tuition and fees, unless otherwise stipulated by the department granting the award.
3. If students have grants and scholarships in amounts greater than the total charges, the remaining amount will be refunded to the student’s account according to the disbursement schedule published by the Financial Aid Office, providing the student maintains their enrollment during the semester in which the scholarship is awarded.  Students should review their My.Hinds self-service account periodically to view their charges and awards.

General Information:

1. The amount, as well as the number of semesters a scholarship may be awarded may vary and is determined by each department.
2. Scholarship awards will not exceed the allowable cost of attendance determined by the College. The Financial Aid Office has the authority to reduce the amount of a scholarship, if necessary, to follow federal awarding guidelines.
3. Failure to meet all policies will result in forfeiture of the scholarship. There is no probationary semester.
4. Students suspended/expelled from the College because of a disciplinary action will forfeit their scholarship and eligibility for future scholarships.
5. Students will be assessed additional fees for enrolling in 22 or more hours in a semester.  Scholarship calculations that are based on tuition will not cover the additional fees.
6. No institutional scholarship funds may be awarded for scholarships in the summer. (Exception to this requirement is the High School Equivalency Diploma First Class Free Award)
7. Any exception must be approved by the President of the College.

Appeal Process:

1. Any student who does not meet all stated criteria to receive and retain a scholarship will forfeit the award.
2. A student may appeal the forfeiture of a scholarship based on the following:

• Cumulative grade point average
• Hours enrolled in and hours completed
• Satisfactory Academic Progress

3. If a student wishes to appeal the loss of a scholarship, the student may submit a written letter of appeal to the appropriate department (see list below) only within 30 days of the end of the semester in which the scholarship was forfeited.  There is no probationary period for the loss of a scholarship and no scholarships are reinstated by a new GPA achieved at a later date.
4. The letter of appeal must be written and submitted by the student and should include all information related to the loss of the scholarship, a plan for successful degree completion, and additional supporting documentation that the student deems necessary.
5. If an appeal is denied by the awarding department, the student may submit a second appeal to the Scholarship Committee, appointed by the College president. If an appeal to the Scholarship Committee is denied, the student may submit a final appeal to the College President. However, Foundation Scholarship appeal decisions made by the Foundation Scholarship Committee are final and may not be submitted to the Scholarship Committee.

Scholarship Departments and individuals responsible for each specific scholarship and for the appeals of each scholarship:

• *ACT - Scholarship Committee Chairperson - Fountain Hall, Raymond
• Art - Art Department Chairperson - Katherine Denton Hall, Raymond
• Athletics and Cheerleading - Athletic Director - Mayo Field House, Raymond
• Band - Band Director - Vashti Underwood Muse Band Hall, Raymond
• *Career/Technical Competition Winner - Scholarship Committee Chairperson - Fountain Hall, Raymond
• Choir - Choir Director - Reeves Hall, Raymond or Bobby G. Cooper Fine Arts Building, Utica
• *Foundation - Executive Director of the Foundation - Fountain Hall, Raymond
• *High School Equivalency Diploma Scholarships- Scholarship Committee Chairperson - Fountain Hall, Raymond
• Hi-Stepper - Hi-Stepper Director - Bee Hall, Raymond
• Honors - Honors Institute Dean - Jenkins Hall, Raymond
• Music/Music Industry - Music Department Chair - Reeves Hall, Raymond
• Utica Minority - Dean of Students - Walter Washington Hall, Utica
• Utica Cheer/Dance -Cheer/Dance Sponsor - George Barnes Technology Building, Utica
• *Valedictorian/Salutatorian - Scholarship Committee Chairperson - Fountain Hall, Raymond

*See additional information in the following sections for this specific scholarship’s policy.

For information on scholarships not listed above, students should contact the Financial Aid Office at 601.857.3223.

Hinds Community College Foundation Scholarships

The Hinds Community College Foundation makes over 500 scholarship awards each year. Foundation Scholarships are awarded for fall and spring semesters only. Scholarship awards are based on classroom excellence, involvement in extracurricular activities, financial need, desire for achievement, and letters of recommendation. Criteria vary per scholarship. 

Unless otherwise indicated, scholarships are awarded to full-time students who enroll in a minimum of 15 credit hours by the end of the drop/add period for the semester in which they are enrolled. Minimum grade point average varies but no scholarship is awarded with less than a 2.0 cumulative grade point average.

Students wishing to be considered for scholarships on the basis of financial need should have the results of their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) sent to Hinds CC prior to the February 15 Foundation Scholarship deadline.  

Students should not apply for a particular Foundation scholarship. Completed Foundation scholarship applications that are submitted by the deadline will be considered for any Foundation scholarships that are applicable to that particular student.  Deadline to apply and submit requirements is February 15.  Awards are generally made in April or May. Scholarship recipients are selected by the Scholarship Committee, which is appointed annually by the President of the College.  Students selected for a Foundation Scholarship will receive a scholarship award packet which includes an award letter, acceptance form, and the specific scholarship criteria. 

In order to be considered for a Foundation Scholarship, the following items must be submitted to the Office of Enrollment Services on the Raymond Campus no later than February 15:

1. Application for Admission to Hinds Community College. Apply online here. 
2. Application for Foundation Scholarships. Apply online at www.hindscc.edu/foundationscholarship.
3. Two letters of recommendation from individuals representing school, church, community, civic, work, etc.  It is the student’s responsibility to make sure their recommendations have been submitted to the Office of Enrollment Services by February 15.   A standard recommendation form may be used and can be printed from the application for Foundation Scholarships site given above. 
4. A typed resume, which includes a list of achievements, honors, extracurricular activities, etc.
5. A copy of high school or equivalency diploma transcript and college transcripts, if applicable. Transcripts submitted for Foundation Scholarship purposes may be unofficial and will not be used for admission purposes.  Transcripts should include a current cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or above.  If GPA is not listed on an in-progress high school transcript, you must submit a signed High School GPA Verification Form verifying a high school GPA of 2.0 or above.  This form is found at the application for Foundation Scholarships site given above.
6. ACT scores (or High School Equivalency Diploma scores, if applicable).

How to Submit Scholarship Requirements

The Application for Admission and Application for Foundation Scholarship must be submitted online. All other scholarship requirements may be submitted in one of these ways:

1. By email to Scholarships@hindscc.edu
2. By mail to: Hinds Community College, Foundation Scholarships, Enrollment Services Office, P.O. Box 1100, Raymond, MS 39154
3. Hand-delivered to the Enrollment Services Office in Fountain Hall on the Raymond Campus

NOTE:  All requirements must be submitted by February 15^th for consideration.  Incomplete application packets will not be considered for awards. 

Requirements for students to receive Hinds Community College Foundation Scholarships*:

1. Students must sign and return an acceptance form and write a thank-you letter to the scholarship sponsor(s).  Any scholarship recipient who fails to accept his/her Foundation scholarship, in writing, by the deadline established in his/her award letter will forfeit the scholarship.
2. Enroll in and be marked present in a minimum of 15 credit hours every semester, unless otherwise stipulated by specific Foundation Scholarship criteria.  Presence must be recorded after the drop/add period for the student to be considered enrolled in 15 or more hours. NOTE: Scholarship funds for the current semester and following semesters will be forfeited if students do not enroll in and have their presence recorded in 15 or more hours after the drop/add period.
3. Submit a Payment and Policy Notification form to the Office of Financial Aid.  The form may be accessed within My.Hinds.

Requirements for students to retain Hinds Community College Foundation Scholarships*:

1. Must attend the Scholarship Recognition Program each year they receive a Foundation Scholarship.  Failure to attend will result in forfeiting the scholarship for the current semester and future semesters, unless prior approval is granted by the Executive Director of the Foundation.
2. Must successfully complete 12 or more credit hours during the semester in which the student is receiving the scholarship.
3. Must maintain the required cumulative grade point average required for their particular scholarship. A cumulative GPA includes all credit hours attempted at Hinds Community College, including credit hours while dual enrolled.
4. A student receiving a Foundation Scholarship designated for a certain major or campus location will forfeit that scholarship if he/she changes majors or campus locations.
5. Any student who does not complete all of the requirements to retain their award will forfeit his/her scholarship for future semesters unless an appeal is filed with and approved by the Foundation Scholarship Committee. However, some scholarships are awarded only by semester. There is no probationary period after a scholarship forfeiture, and scholarships are not reinstated if a higher GPA is established in a future semester.

Awarding of Hinds Community College Foundation Scholarships*:

1. The award, as well as the number of semesters a scholarship will be awarded, may vary.
2. Scholarship awards will be applied to the student’s account providing all admission requirements have been met and the student does not have an unsatisfactory academic progress status.
3. The appropriate award amount will begin transmitting to the eligible student’s account 10 days prior to the first day of classes to pay tuition and fees, unless otherwise stipulated by the department granting the award.
4. If students have grants and scholarships in amounts greater than the total charges, the remaining amount will be refunded to the student’s account according to the disbursement schedule published by the Financial Aid Office.  Students should review their My.Hinds self-service account periodically to view their charges and awards. 
5. Students are eligible to reapply for a Foundation Scholarship for future semesters.

*Foundation Scholarship recipients must also abide by the Hinds Community College Scholarship policies.  For additional information, please call 601.857.3744.

ACT Scholarships

Hinds Community College is proud to offer the following ACT Scholarships to eligible recipients:

Deadline:  The deadline to qualify for the ACT Scholarship is the first day of classes for the semester in which the student enrolls as a first-time entering freshman.  No additional scholarship application is required.  Students who meet the criteria below by the deadline will automatically be awarded.  

Criteria to be eligible to receive an ACT Scholarship*:

1. Be admitted to the college as an in-state student.
2. Have a standard high school diploma or high school equivalency diploma (GED^®, HiSET^®, TASC^™, or Mississippi Competency-Based High School Equivalency).
3. Have an official ACT composite score or superscore of 21 or above on file in the Office of Admissions by the deadline.  A superscore is the average of a student’s highest sub scores in each of the four subject areas from all of their ACT attempts.  It is the student’s responsibility to submit an official ACT composite score of 21 or above or to submit all official ACT scores if they wish to be considered for the scholarship based on a superscore.
4. Be a first-time entering freshman (Hinds must be the first college you attend after receiving your high school diploma or equivalency diploma.  NOTE: students may not receive both the ACT and the High School Equivalency Diploma scholarship.)  Students are still eligible for an ACT scholarship if they:

• Attended summer school prior to enrolling at Hinds CC as a full-time student, or
• Participated in dual enrollment/dual credit classes before receiving a high school diploma or equivalency diploma

Requirements for students to receive the ACT Scholarship*:

1. Enroll in and be marked present in a minimum of 15 credit hours every semester. Presence must be recorded after the drop/add period for the student to be considered enrolled in 15 or more hours. NOTE:  Scholarship funds for that semester and following semesters will be forfeited if students do not enroll in and have their presence recorded in 15 or more hours after the drop/add period.
2. Submit a Payment and Policy Notification form to the Office of Financial Aid.  The form may be accessed within My.Hinds.

Requirements for students to retain the ACT Scholarship*:

1. Must successfully complete 12 or more credit hours during the semester in which the student is receiving the scholarship.
2. Must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or above.  A cumulative GPA includes all credit hours attempted at Hinds Community College, including credit hours while dual enrolled.
3. Students who do not meet all the requirements to retain their ACT Scholarship will forfeit the scholarship for future semesters. Students may appeal a scholarship forfeiture according to the Hinds Community College Scholarship Policy (see Appeals section). Appeals are only considered within 30 days of forfeiture. There is no probationary period for the loss of a scholarship, and no scholarships are reinstated by a new GPA achieved at a later date.

Awarding of ACT Scholarships*:

1. The scholarship award amount is based on the highest official ACT scores on file in the Office of Admissions and Records by the deadline.
2. Scholarship award amounts cannot be changed by submitting new or additional scores after the deadline.
3. ACT Scholarships are awarded for four consecutive fall/spring semesters. ACT scholarships do not cover summer terms. However, students who are currently receiving the ACT scholarship and may benefit by attending summer school may submit an ACT Scholarship Summer Award Request to the Scholarship Committee. See Summer Award Request policy below.
4. Once all criteria (shown above) are met, eligible recipients will be awarded this scholarship automatically.
5. The appropriate award amount will begin transmitting to the eligible student’s account 10 days prior to the first day of classes to pay tuition and fees, unless otherwise stipulated by the department granting the award.
6. If students have grants and scholarships in amounts greater than the total charges, the remaining amount will be refunded to the student’s account according to the disbursement schedule published by the Financial Aid Office, providing the student maintains their enrollment during the semester in which the scholarship is awarded.  Students should review their My.Hinds self-service account periodically to view their charges and awards. 

ACT Scholarship Summer Award Request:

1. ACT Scholarships are not awarded in summer terms unless an exception is made by the President. If funds are available, exceptions may be made on an individual basis for students who may benefit from taking summer term classes within their program of study.
2. Currently enrolled Hinds students who have already been awarded the ACT scholarship for at least one fall or spring term, who have maintained all scholarship requirements to retain their award, and who have at least one semester remaining of future scholarship eligibility may be allowed to submit a Summer Award Request. Students who are eligible to receive the ACT scholarship as incoming freshmen but have not yet attended Hinds for a full fall or spring term after high school graduation do not qualify to submit a Summer Award Request.
3. Current ACT Scholarship recipients who qualify to apply for a Summer Award Request will be notified via their Hinds email account in the spring semester before summer registration begins.
4. The Summer Award Request Form must be submitted to the Scholarship Committee before the first day of summer term classes. No late applications will be considered.
5. Summer Award Requests will be considered by the committee on an individual basis and will take into consideration factors such as the student’s program of study, the student’s progress toward degree completion, the student’s grade point average, and the student’s other sources of financial aid.
6. Students will be notified in writing of the decision made by the Scholarship Committee.
7. For students who receive approval for a summer award, the award amount will be prorated according to the number of hours in which the student enrolls for the summer term:
   • 1-5 credit hours     25% of the student’s ACT Scholarship award amount
   • 6-8 credit hours     50% of the student’s ACT Scholarship award amount
   • 9-11 credit hours   75% of the student’s ACT Scholarship award amount
   • 12+ credit hours    100% of the student’s ACT Scholarship award amount
8. Students who are approved for the ACT Scholarship Summer Award will not receive more money than they were originally awarded upon initial enrollment as a freshman at Hinds. The dollar amount that is awarded in the summer term will be debited against the student’s future scholarship award amounts.
    

*ACT Scholarship recipients must also abide by the Hinds Community College Scholarship Policies.  

For more information, call 601.857.3502.

Valedictorian and Salutatorian Scholarships

Hinds Community College is proud to offer a full-tuition scholarship to graduating seniors who have been named as Valedictorian or Salutatorian from an accredited high school within the Hinds Community College district.

Criteria to be eligible to receive a Valedictorian or Salutatorian Scholarship*:

1. Submit the Valedictorian and Salutatorian Scholarship application by the priority deadline of July 1^st_.
2. Submit an official high school transcript verifying class rank as number one or number two.
3. Be admitted to the college as an in-state student
4. Be a graduate of an accredited high school within the Hinds Community College district.  The Hinds CC district includes high schools located in Hinds, Rankin, Warren, Claiborne, or Copiah County.  Accredited high schools include Mississippi public schools and private schools accredited through the Mississippi Association of Independent schools and does not include homeschool associations.
5. Be a first-time entering freshman (Hinds must be the first college you attend after receiving your high school diploma.)  However, students are still eligible for a Valedictorian or Salutatorian Scholarship if they:

• Attend summer school prior to enrolling at Hinds CC as a full-time student
• Participated in dual enrollment/dual credit classes before receiving a high school diploma

6. Have a standard high school diploma

Requirements for students to receive the Valedictorian or Salutatorian Scholarship*:

1. Enroll in and be marked present in a minimum of 15 credit hours every semester.  Presence must be recorded after the drop/add period for the student to be considered enrolled in 15 or more hours. NOTE: Scholarship funds for the current semester and following semesters will be forfeited if students do not enroll in and have presence recorded in 15 or more hours after the drop/add period.
2. Submit a Payment and Policy Notification form to the Office of Financial Aid.  The form may be accessed within My.Hinds.

Requirements for students to retain the Valedictorian or Salutatorian Scholarship*:

1. Must successfully complete 12 or more credit hours during the semester in which you are receiving the scholarship
2. Must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or above.  A cumulative GPA includes all credit hours attempted at Hinds Community College, including credit hours while dual enrolled.
3. Students who do not meet all of the requirements to retain their Valedictorian/Salutatorian Scholarship will forfeit the scholarship for future semesters. Students may appeal a scholarship forfeiture according to the Hinds Community College Scholarship Policy (see Appeals section). Appeals are only considered within 30 days of forfeiture. There is no probationary period for the loss of a scholarship and no scholarships are reinstated by a new GPA achieved at a later date.

Awarding of the Valedictorian or Salutatorian Scholarship*:

1. Priority in awarding this scholarship will be given to applicants who submit all requirements by the priority deadline of July 1^st.
2. Valedictorian and Salutatorian Scholarships are awarded for four consecutive fall/spring semesters (does not cover summer terms).
3. The award amount will begin transmitting to the scholarship recipient’s account 10 days prior to the first day of classes to pay tuition and fees, unless otherwise stipulated by the department granting the award.
4. If students have grants and scholarships in amounts greater that the total charges, the remaining amount will be refunded to the student’s account according to the disbursement schedule published by the Financial Aid Office, providing the student maintains their enrollment during the semester in which the scholarship is awarded.  Students should review their My.Hinds self-service account periodically to view their charges and awards.

*Valedictorian and Salutatorian Scholarship recipients must also abide by the Hinds Community College Scholarship Policies.

For more information, call 601.857.3502.

Career & Technical Competition Winner Scholarship

The Career & Technical Competition Winner Scholarship is awarded on a competitive basis to students who place first in a Skills USA, HOSA, FLBLA, DECA, FFA, or TSA competitive event while in high school and wish to continue their education at Hinds in a career or technical program of study.  Recipients of this scholarship will be awarded full-tuition for two consecutive semesters (one fall and one spring semester) and must enroll in an approved career and technical program of study at Hinds Community College.

Criteria to be eligible to receive a Career & Technical Competition Winner Scholarship*:

1. Submit the Application for Career & Technical Scholarship Winner scholarship application at www.hindscc.edu/admissions/costs-aid/scholarships/career-technical-competition-winner-scholarships by a priority deadline of July 1.
2. Submit evidence of your first place award in an approved career or technical competitive event on the secondary level.
3. Enroll in an approved career or technical program of student at Hinds Community College. 
4. Be admitted to the College as an instate student.
5. Have a standard high school diploma or high school equivalency diploma (GED^®, HiSET^®, TASC^™, or Mississippi Competency-Based High School Equivalency).
6. Be a first-time entering freshman (Hinds must be the first college you attend after receiving your high school diploma or equivalency diploma.

*The priority deadline for submitting the scholarship application and its requirements is July 1. If scholarship funds remain after the deadline, awards will be made until funds are exhausted and up until the first day of the fall semester.

Requirements for students to receive the Career & Technical Competition Winner Scholarship:

1. Enroll in an approved career or technical program of study at Hinds Community College.
2. Enroll in and be marked present in a minimum of 15 credit hours every semester.  Presence must be recorded after the drop/add period for the student to be considered enrolled in 15 or more hours.  NOTE: Scholarship funds for the current semester and following semesters will be forfeited if students do not enroll in and have their presence recorded in 15 or more hours after the drop/add period. 
3. Submit a Payment and Policy Notification form to the Office of Financial Aid. The form may be accessed within My.Hinds. 

Requirements for students to retain the Career & Technical Competition Winner Scholarship:

1. Maintain enrollment in an approved career or technical program of study.
2. Must successfully complete 12 or more credit hours during the semester in which the student is receiving the scholarship.
3. Must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or above. A cumulative GPA includes all credit hours attempted at Hinds Community College, including credit hours while dual enrolled.
4. Students who do meet all of the requirements to retain the Career & Technical Competition Winner Scholarship will forfeit the scholarship.  Students may appeal a scholarship forfeiture according to the Hinds Community College Scholarship Policy (see Appeals section).  Appeals are only considered within 30 days of forfeiture. There is no probationary period for the loss of a scholarship, and no scholarships are reinstated by a new GPA achieved at a later date.

Awarding of Career & Technical Competition Winner Scholarships:

1. The Career & Technical Competition Winner Scholarship is awarded for two consecutive scholarships (one fall and one spring semester) providing the student maintains enrollment in an approved career or technical program of study.
2. Once all criteria (shown above) are met, eligible recipients will be considered for this award and notified in writing if selected as a recipient.
3. The appropriate award amount will begin transmitting to the eligible students’ account 10 days prior to the first day of class.
4. If students have grants and scholarships in amounts greater than the total charges, the remaining amount will be refunded to the students’ account according to the disbursement schedule published by the Financial Aid Office, providing the student maintains their enrollment during the semester in which the scholarship is awarded.  Students should review their My.Hinds self-service account periodically to view their charges and awards.

For more information, call 601.857.3502.

High School Equivalency Diploma Scholarships and First College Class Free Award

There are two scholarship awards for High School Equivalency Diploma Recipients:

1. The High School Equivalency Diploma First College Class Free Award
2. The High School Equivalency Diploma Scholarship

1. Be admitted to the college as an in-state student
2. Be 17 years of age or older
3. Be a first-time entering freshman (Hinds is the first college attended after receiving your High School Equivalency Diploma)
4. Submit passing scores for an approved high school equivalency diploma (GED^®, HiSET^®, TASC^­™, or Mississippi Competency-Based High School Equivalency)
5. Submit an application for the High School Equivalency Diploma First Class Free Award to the Office of Admissions. Visit http://www.hindscc.edu/admissions/costs-aid/scholarships/hse-diploma-scholarships.
6. Submit a Payment and Policy Notification form to the Office of Financial Aid.  The form may be accessed within My.Hinds.

NOTE: The High School Equivalency Diploma First Class Free Award may be made in the summer, fall, or spring terms and is not renewable.  Students receiving the High School Equivalency Diploma Scholarship are not eligible for the First Class Free award.

The High School Equivalency Diploma Scholarship:
Qualifying students may receive the High School Equivalency Diploma Scholarship in the amount of $1,000 per semester. 

Criteria to be eligible to receive the High School Equivalency Diploma Scholarship*:

1. Must be admitted to the college as an in-state student.
2. Must be 17 years of age or older.
3. Must be a first-time entering freshman (Hinds is the first college you attend after receiving your high school equivalency diploma).  Students are still eligible for a High School Equivalency Diploma Scholarship if they:

• Attend summer school prior to enrolling at Hinds CC as a full-time student
• Participated in dual enrollment/dual credit classes before receiving the high school equivalency diploma
• Participated in an Integrated Career Pathways (MI-BEST) program at Hinds CC 

4. Submit a High School Equivalency Diploma Scholarship Application.  Visit www.hindscc.edu/admissions/costs-aid/scholarships/hse-diploma-scholarships.
5. Submit one of the following official High School Equivalency scores:

• If the student took the GED^® on or before December 31, 2013, a composite score of 577 or higher
• If the student took the GED^® on or after January 1, 2014, a composite score of 640 or higher
• If the student took the HiSET^®, a composite score of 75 or above
• If the student took the TASC^™, a composite score of 2800 or above

6. Submit a Payment and Policy Notification form to the Office of Financial Aid.  The form may be accessed within My.Hinds.

NOTE: Students may not receive both the ACT Scholarship and the High School Equivalency Diploma Scholarship.  Also, students may not receive both the First Class Free Award and the High School Equivalency Diploma Scholarship.

Requirements for students to receive the High School Equivalency Diploma Scholarship*:

1. Enroll in and be marked present in a minimum of 15 credit hours every semester. Presence must be recorded after the drop/add period for the student to be considered enrolled in 15 or more hours. NOTE: Scholarship funds for the semester and following semesters will be forfeited if students do not enroll in and have their presence recorded in 15 or more hours after the drop/add period.
2. Submit a Payment and Policy Notification form to the Office of Financial Aid. The form may be accessed within My.Hinds.

Requirements for students to retain the High School Equivalency Diploma Scholarship*:

1. Must successfully complete 12 or more credit hours during the semester in which the student is receiving the scholarship
2. Must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or above. A cumulative GPA includes all credit hours attempted at Hinds Community College, including credit hours while dual enrolled.

Awarding of the High School Equivalency Diploma Scholarship*:

1. High School Equivalency Diploma Scholarships are awarded for four consecutive fall/spring semesters.  (Does not cover summer terms.)
2. The High School Equivalency Diploma Scholarship will not be awarded after the first day of classes.
3. The scholarship award amount will begin transmitting to the eligible student’s account 10 days prior to the first day of classes to pay tuition and fees, unless otherwise stipulated by the department granting the award.
4. If students have grants and scholarships in amounts greater that the total charges, the remaining amount will be refunded to the student’s account according to the disbursement schedule published by the Financial Aid Office.  Students should review their My.Hinds self-service account periodically to view their charges and awards.

*High School Equivalency Diploma Scholarship recipients must also abide by the Hinds Community College Scholarship Policies.

For more information, call 601.857.3502.

Other Scholarships:

The following scholarships are awarded by individual departments.  Recipients must abide by both departmental scholarship requirements and the Hinds Community Scholarship Policies.  For more information, call 601.857.3502.