This semester, there are some new changes in Norco College’s financial aid services.
The college now has a new school code 041761 for the 2011-2012 FAFSA applications.
In order for students to receive their financial aid, student must meet the Satisfactory Academic Progress Standard which students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 and complete a minimum percentage of units attempted in order to make progress toward their goal.
Students will be evaluated at the end of each semester to determine if they are meeting the standards listed above, beginning with this semester.
Also, the Sallie Mae debit card is a new method for the disbursement of financial aid instead of checks and direct deposit. According to the director of student financial aid, Maria Gonzales, the debit card has made it easier to disburse money to students.
Gonzales said that when students close their checking account, it is difficult to submit the payment to the students. Another problem with the check form of payment is that students might move to a different address and it takes time to reprocess the returned check.
The school will issue a check if there is a technical problem with the disbursement through the Sallie Mae.
The school issued 2,590 Sallie Mae debit cards and there were only five technical issues due to setting up/retrieving password, according to Gonzales.
Many students think the new Sallie Mae debit card is no different than direct deposit.
“It is OK; we just have to use a 7-11 ATM every time,” said student Keith Huen, 19.
Other students like the old way better.
“Direct deposit is a better way to distribute the financial aids; it is way more convenient than the debit card,” said student Samuel Wu, 20.
