Financial Aid

Students are responsible for submitting a Federal Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA application is processed by the U.S. Department of Education. Students should add the Polaris Career Center “School Code” (016745), which will then enable the financial aid office to have access to view student eligibility. Once the student applies, they should notify Polaris Career Center that they have submitted an application. It is recommended that the student start the application process prior to registering for a program.

The following financial aid options exist to cover all or part of your training tuition:

Pell Grant

  • The maximum award for 2012-2013 is $5,550 for a 900, 930, 946 or 1500-clock hour program and $3,700 for a 600-clock hour program.
  • The maximum award for 2013-2014 is $5,645 for a 900, 930, 946 or 1500-clock hour program and $3,764 for a 600-clock hour program.
  • Award amounts are based on the student’s EFC (Expected Family Contribution), calculated from the previous year’s income information submitted on the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).
  • Pell Grant awards are applied to the student’s tuition account when enrolling in a full-time job training program meeting 600 or 900, 930, 946, or 1500-clock hours.
  • Students are required to self-pay the balance of the tuition not covered by the Pell Grant or other type of financial aid.  Free tuition payment plan available.
  • All Pell Grant funds are applied directly to tuition.  The Pell Grant does not have to be repaid.
  • To remain eligible for Pell Grant funds, a full-time student must maintain satisfactory academic progress (C average), in addition to a minimum of 90% attendance at all times. Students not in compliance will be responsible for paying the portion of financial aid expected to be received.

Instructions for Applying for the Pell Grant

Please follow these steps to apply for financial aid:
Step 1 – Collect items that will help in completing the FAFSA application, for example: tax returns, bank statements, welfare, assets, child support documentation, etc.
Step 2 – Go to www.pin.ed.gov and apply for a PIN number. If you are a dependent student, a parent must also apply for a PIN number. You may create your own PIN number and use it the same day to sign your FAFSA.
Step 3 – Complete the 2012-2013 and/or 2013-2014 FAFSA.
The Polaris Career Center school code is:  016745
Step 4 – If you provided an email address on your application, you will receive within 3 – 5 days a SAR (Student Aid Report) from the U.S. Department of Education. If you did not provide an email address, it will arrive by mail within 3 weeks. If you would like to check the status of your FAFSA, go to www.fafsa.gov.
Step 5 – Once you have received your SAR report, contact Pat Carter, Financial Aid Coordinator at 440-891-7668.
Your financial aid must be confirmed with Pat Carter before registration can be initiated.
Due to heavy call volume, it might be necessary to leave the following information in a voicemail message:
1) state and spell your name
2) a return phone number where you can be reached
3) the name of the program you intend to register for, and
4) state that you’ve completed your FAFSA application
Step 6 – All students who are financial aid recipients are required to register at Polaris Career Center, Adult Education Office, by completing a Tuition Agreement.  A valid MasterCard or Visa must be presented at the time of registration and will be kept on file for collateral purposes.

William D. Ford Student Loan

  • Student loans must be repaid. Repayment starts six months after completing school.
  • Subsidized Loans are available for students with demonstrated financial need, as determined by federal regulations.  No interest is charged while you are in school.  The maximum amount that can be borrowed is $3,500 (less the processing fee).
  • Unsubsidized Loans are not based on financial need.  Interest is charged beginning with the first disbursement.  The maximum amount that can be borrowed is $6,000 (less the processing fee).
  • For further information visit www.direct.ed.gov

Instructions for Applying for William D. Ford Federal Student Loans

Step 1 – Compete the 2012-2013 and/or 2013-2014 FAFSA.
Step 2 – Visit www.studentloans.gov.
Step 3 – Sign in with your FAFSA PIN.
Step 4 – Carefully read the information provided regarding the loan process, subsidized and unsubsidized loans, processing fees, interest rates, and repayment.
Step 5 – Complete “Entrance Counseling.”
Step 6 – Complete and submit the “Master Promissory Note” (MPN).
Step 7 – Contact Pat Carter (440-891-7668), Financial Aid Coordinator, 3-5 days after the MPN has been submitted, to confirm loan approval and to certify the amount you want to borrow.
Step 8 – Once you have confirmed your Pell Grant and/or student loan amount, you may register at Polaris Career Center in person. All financial aid student recipients are required to register at Polaris Career Center, Adult Education Office, by completing a Tuition Agreement.  A valid MasterCard or Visa must be presented at the time of registration and will be kept on file for collateral purposes.
Step 9 – Complete “Exit Counseling” before the last loan disbursement.
Federal student loan funds will be applied first toward outstanding tuition costs for the current loan disbursement period.  Once student accounts are made current with loan funds, remaining loan monies due to students will be mailed to the student’s address of record.

The Pell Grant and William D. Ford Federal Student Loans are each disbursed in two separate payments.  One half of each award will be disbursed in the Fall and one half will be disbursed in the Spring, depending on the class start date.  Polaris Career Center adheres to the policies and procedures established by the U.S. Department of Education, the Auditor of the State of Ohio, and the Treasurer’s Office for all disbursements.

Instructions for Applying for a Tuition Payment Plan

  • An interest-free tuition payment plan is offered by the Adult Education Department for Job Training Programs.  Students may visit Polaris Career Center, Monday through Friday from 8:30AM – 3:30PM to complete a payment plan and register.  Please note – first payment will be due at time of registration. If the times stated above are not convenient for you, please contact Mary Koeka, Administrative Coordinator (440-891-7653), to make arrangements for registration.
  • The cost of the program will be divided into payments (depending on the length of the class) with an initial payment due at the time of registration.
  • A valid MasterCard or Visa must be kept on file when the Tuition Payment Plan arrangements are made with the Adult Education Office.
  • Polaris Career Center offers, at no additional cost, an automatic payment option for payments to be applied on the student’s MasterCard or VISA on payment due dates.
  • Monthly payments are due the first of each month beginning with the month the program begins, except for the following:
    Nursing Assistant STNA – 2nd payment is due 1 week after class begins
  • The number of payments may be adjusted to start on the date of registration- allowing more payments but resulting in lower monthly payments.

Programs Eligible for Financial Aid

  • Cosmetology Academy
  • Dental Assisting
  • Early Child Care Education/Child Development Associate
  • Graphic & Web Design Certification
  • Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning, & Refrigeration (HVAC/R)
  • Medical Assisting
  • Medical Billing & Coding with Electronic Health Records
  • Natural Resources/Ranger/Basic Peace Officer Academy (OPOTA)
  • Pharmacy Technician
  • Precision/CNC Machine Technology
  • Welding

Net Price Calculator

Click here to access the Net Price Calculator.

Adult Education Student Consumer Handbook

Click here to access the Adult Education Student Consumer Handbook.

Click here to view the Gainful Employment Disclosure.

Discounts

Discounts (only one discount from the following may be applied)

  • Residents and/or high school graduates from the following communities are given a $100 discount on any of the Job Training Programs except Nursing Assistant (STNA):
    Berea                 Fairview Park             Olmsted Falls
    Brook Park         Middleburg Heights     Olmsted Township
    Brooklyn            North Olmsted            Strongsville
  • Polaris GED graduates are given a $100 discount on any of the Job Training Programs except Nursing Assistant (STNA).

Withdrawal/Refunds

  • Withdrawal from a Job Training program is considered official upon completion of a signed withdrawal verification form.  Forms are available in the Adult Education office.  Refunds, if due, will be based on date of signed withdrawal notification form. Tuiton fees and materials will continue to accrue until notification is made.
  • A $100 fee will be withheld from all job training program refunds.  Books and supplies are non-refundable.

1098-T Tax Forms

1098-T forms will be provided to students enrolled in 600-hour or longer programs.