Financial Aid - Title IV, Scholarships & Other
Revised: October 2018
Maine Media College Scholarships
For information on scholarships, please click here.
Federal Financial Aid – Title IV
Maine Media is committed to providing financial assistance to students attending our certificate or degree programs. Maine Media College was approved by the U.S. Department of Education to process Title IV funding effective February 2019. Title IV federal financial assistance may be applied to either the Professional Certificate in Visual Storytelling, the Certificate in Collaborative Filmmaking or the Master of Fine Arts degree ONLY.
Your first step is to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form. On the FAFSA® form you may enter Maine Media College as one of the schools you are interested in attending. Once this is done, and you have completed your application, we will be able to let you know which loan or aid programs you may qualify for.
FAFSA Verification
Every year a number of students who are eligible for financial aid are randomly selected for verification by the U.S. Department of Education by the FAFSA Central Processing System (CPS). If a student is selected for federal verification, they will be asked to complete a Verification Worksheet (provided by the Office of Student Financial Planning) and must provide additional information before financial aid can be disbursed to the student account. This documentation may include but is not limited to federal income tax transcript and W-2 forms (student’s, spouse and/or parents/guardians), proof of untaxed income, housing allowances, etc. Students will be notified in writing of all documents required to fulfill this federal requirement and what their verification code (V1 – V5) was so they can complete the required verification requirement. If after review by the Office of Student Financial Planning, there are any changes to the financial aid package the student will be notified in writing.
Contact Information for Assistance in Obtaining Institutional or Financial Aid Information.
Disclosure Requirement: Made available through appropriate publications, mailings, or electronic media HEA Sec 485(a) (1)-(2), 20 U.S.C. 1092 (a) (1)-(2). Not changed by HEOA 34 C.F.R. 668.41 (a) – (d); 668.43 revised August 21, 2009 NPRM (revised 34 CFR 668, 43 added 34 CFR 668.231) Each institution must make available to prospective and enrolled students information regarding how and where to contact individuals designated to assist enrolled or prospective students in obtaining the institutional or financial aid information required to be disclosed under HEA Sec. 485(a). This information is posted on the Maine Media College website and can be found in the student catalog. Paper copies are available upon request.
Institutional Contact Information
Name: Cathi Finnemore, Director of Finance & Administration
Office hours: 9am – 5 pm M-F
Phone number: 207-236-8581 x 360
Email: [email protected]
Return of Title IV Funds Policy
When students apply for financial aid, a statement is signed that the funds will be used for educational purposes only. Therefore, if students withdraw before completing the program, a portion of the funds received may have to be returned. Maine Media College will calculate the amount of funding to be returned to the Title IV HEA Federal programs according to the policies here
Financial Aid Eligibility Verification Policy
Professional Judgement & Dependency Overrides Policy
Financial Aid Fraud Policy
Post 9/11 GI Bill®
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has approved Maine Media College’s Professional Certificate Program, the Certificate in Collaborative Filmmaking, and the MFA degree program as educational programs eligible for the Post 9/11 GI Bill®. Currently workshops are ineligible. Veterans who performed active service duty after September 10, 2001, as well as current military members and eligible dependents, seeking training in the fields of filmmaking, photography, or multimedia, can visit www.gibill.va.gov/ for benefit information.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.
Pending Payment Compliance
In accordance with Title 38 US Code 3679(e), Maine Media College adopts the following additional provisions for any students using U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Post-9/11 G.I. Bill® (Ch. 33) or Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment (Ch. 31) benefits, while payment to the institution is pending from VA. Maine Media College will not:
- Prevent the student’s enrollment;
- Assess a late penalty fee to the student;
- Require the student to secure alternative or additional funding;
- Deny the student access to any resources (access to classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities) available to other students who have satisfied their tuition and fee bills to the institution.
However, to qualify for this provision, such students may be required to:
- Produce the VA Certificate of Eligibility (COE) by the first day of class;
- Provide a written request to be certified;
- Provide additional information needed to properly certify the enrollment as described in other institutional policies
US Department of Veterans Reporting Fees to Institutions Policy
Veterans Benefits
All programs of study at Maine Media College are approved by the Maine State Approving Agency for Veterans’ Educational Programs for enrollment of those eligible to receive benefits under Chapter 33, Title 38, United States Code, section 3676. The determination for Chapter 33 funds is made directly through the Department of Veterans Affairs. Additional funding may, at times, be obtained through Maine Media College via funds donated specifically for Veterans or through other private scholarship funds. The determinations for these funds are made through the respective organizations.
Refund Policy for Recipients of Veterans Education Benefits
Maine Media College complies with the VA requirement for a pro rata refund of the unused portion of tuition, fees and charges if the veteran or eligible person fails to enter the course, withdraws, or is terminated before completion. (38 CFR 21.4254(C)(13); 21.4255). For more information contact the Director of Finance and Administration of Maine Media College. Maine Media College complies with the Pro Rata Refund Policy (38 CFR 21.4255) that is applicable to veterans and other persons who are eligible for Veterans Administration benefits.
Appeal Procedure for Recipients of Veterans Education Benefits
If a student is determined to not be making satisfactory academic progress, the student may appeal the determination within ten calendar days of notification of the failed period. Reasons for which students may appeal a negative progress determination include death of a relative, an injury or illness of the student, or any other allowable special or mitigating circumstance. The student must submit a written appeal to the school describing why they failed to meet satisfactory academic progress standards, along with supporting documentation of the reasons why the determination should be reversed. This information should include what has changed about the student’s situation that will allow them to achieve Satisfactory Academic Progress by the next evaluation point. Appeal documents will be reviewed and a decision will be made and reported to the student within 30 calendar days of receipt. The appeal and decision documents will be retained in the student file. If the student prevails upon appeal, the satisfactory academic progress determination will be reversed and federal financial aid will be reinstated, if applicable.
