Rights & Responsibilities of Students Receiving Federal & State Aid

Rights of Students

All students are entitled to, and are guaranteed, fair and equitable treatment in the awarding of financial aid. Appeal procedures exist for anyone who feels that a violation of the above has occurred. If this is the case, contact the Financial Aid Director.
All students have the right to receive full and open information about various financial aid programs and their eligibility for them. They have the right to know the selection and review process used to award financial aid.
All students have the right to know the cost of attending College of the Siskiyous, the refund policies in case of withdrawal, the academic programs offered by the college, the faculty, physical facilities of the institution, and the data regarding student retention at College of the Siskiyous.
All students have the right to know what portion of the financial aid they received must be repaid, and what portion is grant aid. If the aid is a loan, they have the right to know what the interest rate is, the total amount that must be repaid, the pay back procedures, the length of time they have to repay the loan, and when repayment is to begin.
All students have the right to know how the school determines whether they are making satisfactory progress, and what happens if they are not.
All students have the right to be permitted to examine the contents of their own file.
All students have the right to decline financial aid awards.
All students have the right to have portions or all of their financial aid material or information forwarded to other institutions or agencies upon their own release.

Responsibilities of Students

To review and consider all information about the school's program before you enroll.
To pay special attention to and accurately complete your application for student financial aid. Errors can result in long delays in your receipt of financial aid. Intentional misreporting of information on application forms for federal financial aid is a violation of law and is considered a criminal offense subject to penalties under the U.S. Criminal Code.
To return all additional documentation, verification, corrections, and/or new information requested by either the Financial Aid Office or the agency to which you submitted your applications.
To read and understand all forms that you are asked to sign and keep copies of them.
To define your purpose, intent, or goal by filing with the college a specific educational objective identifying a degree, a certificate, or intent to transfer to another school. The Educational Plan identifying your goal(s) must be online and updated each semester before any funds can be processed for release.
To carry and complete a specific number of units each semester, report graduation or withdrawal, and notify the Financial Aid Office of changes in financial status, marital status, or unit load.
To accept responsibility for all agreements you sign.
To use the funds only to meet educational costs. Any other use of funds is prohibited by law.
To understand your loan obligations. Accepting student loans means that you are pledging your future earnings to pay for your college costs. Read the conditions of the loan carefully, noting particularly the minimum repayments that will be required. If application for a Federal Stafford Loan is recommended to meet your remaining need, you need not apply if you feel you can get by without it.
To notify the lender of changes in your name, address, or school status, if you have a loan.
To know and comply with your school's refund procedures.
To maintain good class attendance in keeping with institutional attendance policy as defined in the college catalog.
To be punctual and work hours agreed upon, if employed under student work programs. When ill, student must report nature of absence to supervisor at earliest opportunity. If terminating employment, student must report to the supervisor and the Financial Aid Office.
To know and comply with the deadlines for application or reapplication for aid.
To maintain repayment of educational loans or grants. The law requires that we deny financial aid to those who are in default on a loan or in repayment on a grant.
To be responsible for petitioning for reinstatement immediately upon application, if a student applies for financial aid while on disqualified status.

Contact Financial Aid

Email: financialaid@siskiyous.edu
Phone: (530) 938-5209
Fax: (530) 938-5367