Financial Aid
DCC is committed in its belief that qualified students should have an opportunity to pursue higher education, regardless of their financial situation. To be considered for financial assistance, students must first complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid and submit it to DCC by entering 003758 for the federal school code. Computers are available for completing the FAFSA in the Financial Aid Office in Wyatt 111 during business hours. To be eligible, the student must enroll in an eligible curriculum and make satisfactory academic progress in the program of study. For more information, visit the Financial Aid website: https://danville.edu/financial-aid.
Federal Financial Aid
Federal Work-Study Program Students who show sufficient financial need may be employed as work-study employees on campus while attending college. Students who are enrolled at least half time may work an average of 12-15 hours per week. For information or to apply, visit the Financial Aid office in Wyatt 111.
Federal Pell Grant Program Full-time and part-time students who show sufficient financial need and are enrolled in eligible curricula may receive non-repayable aid under this program.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant Program Students who show sufficient financial need may qualify for this non-repayable grant.
Direct Federal Student Loan Program Students who do not receive sufficient grant aid to attend college may request a student loan. Students must enroll for at least six (6) credits. Forms are available in the Financial Aid Office or online.
DCC Educational Foundation Scholarships
The DCC Educational Foundation awards approximately 300 scholarships totaling $500,000 annually in financial assistance to eligible DCC students through the generosity of its donors. The DCC Educational Foundation also awards graduation scholarships to eligible students graduating from DCC who are transferring to four-year institutions.
For more information, contact the DCC Educational Foundation Office at 434.797.8437 or 434.797.8495. Full details about individual scholarships and the online scholarship application are available on the DCC Educational Foundation’s website: danville.edu/dcc-educational-foundation-scholarships
State Grants
Commonwealth Award (COMA) Grant Preference is given to students with exceptional need. Recipients must be domiciled in Virginia and enroll for at least six (6) credits.
Virginia Guaranteed Assistance Program (VGAP) Grant Recipients must be: A first-time freshman, a dependent, a high school graduate with a high school GPA of at least 2.5, a Virginia resident, and demonstrate financial need. Recipients must be enrolled as a full-time student, must maintain a minimum of a 2.0 GPA each semester, and must complete a minimum of 24 semester hours each academic year to remain eligible for consideration during the next academic year.
Part-time Tuition Assistance Program (PTAP) Grant This is a campus-based Virginia Community College System grant program based on need and awarded to eligible students who are enrolled for 1 to 8 credits a semester. These grant awards are for tuition and fees only.
Financial Aid and FERPA
The Financial Aid Office complies with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974, the Higher Education Act (HEA), and the Privacy Act. FERPA is a federal law that was enacted to protect the privacy of students and their educational records. Records created and maintained by the Financial Aid Office are considered to be education records and may not be disclosed without the student’s consent.
The HEA authorizes the federal student aid programs and Section 483(a)(3)(E) specifically restricts the use of Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) data, and states that data collected on the FAFSA shall be used only for the application, award, and administration of aid awarded under Title IV student aid programs, state aid, or aid awarded by eligible institutions or such entities as the Education Department (ED) may designate.
Lastly, the Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. § 552) governs the collection, maintenance, and use of records maintained by federal agencies and generally prohibits agencies from disclosing data contained in those records. The Privacy Act can impose restrictions on institutions as well if a federal agency lawfully provides records or access to records to an institution.
The Financial Aid Office is required to provide student information in cooperation with agencies and individuals involved in conducting an audit, program review, investigation, or other review authorized by law.
Students have the opportunity to inspect and review their Financial Aid records within 45 days of the receipt of a request. The request must be made to the Financial Aid Office in writing.
Students can also authorize the release of Financial Aid information to a parent, scholarship provider, or tribal organization by submitting the request in writing. Students may revoke that authorization at any time afterward by putting the request in writing. Requests that are not submitted in person must be notarized. Most other types of Financial Aid data sharing are disallowed by federal rules.
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