Financial Aid Terms and Conditions

1. Offers and Tuition Deferred

Financial Aid Offers

Financial aid files are reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis to determine student eligibility. Financial aid offers are tentative based on students’ enrollment status, verification of individual eligibility and the availability of the federal, state, institutional and agency allocations. Students are required to enroll in courses that apply toward their declared financial aid (Title IV eligible programs). If students receive funding at two schools concurrently, they may be subject to overpayment and/or their aid at RTC may be reduced or cancelled.

Enrollment Level

A student's initial offer is calculated based on an assumption of full-time (12+ credits) enrollment level as indicated in the chart below. You will need to submit a Student Enrollment Confirmation prior to the start of the term if enrolling in less than 12 credits.

Consortium Agreement

A consortium agreement may allow students to receive funding for courses that are required for RTC degree program (home school), being taken at a different participating college (host school). Students interested in a consortium agreement must contact RTC Academic & Career Advisers to complete the necessary process and paperwork.

Work Study (WS)

Student employment Work-Study (WS) funding must be earned by obtaining a job available on-campus or off-campus (if applicable). If you are interested in pursuing a WS employment opportunity, please complete the Student Work-Study Inquiry Form located on our Financial Aid Forms page.

Federal Student Loans

Federal Student Loan allow a student to borrow money to help pay for college through loans supported by the Federal Government. Direct Loans have low interest rates and offer flexible repayment terms, benefits, and options. Please submit an Student Loan Request Form if you are interested in borrowing student loans.

Tuition Deferred & Tuition Payment

RTC is authorized to apply funding to students' accounts to pay tuition/fees upon file completion. A Tuition Deferred (hold) is temporarily placed for students with processed aid or pending eligible completed files to protect courses from being dropped for non-payment until eligible aid is applied to tuition/fees. This Tuition Deferred (hold) does not guarantee funding. Students are responsible for paying balance owed if their aid is insufficient/cancelled. Failure to do so may result in classes being dropped for non-payment.

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Requirement

Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP): Students receiving Federal & State aid must adhere to the financial aid SAP Policy to ensure quarterly minimum academic progress and timely program completion.

RTC Academic Satisfactory Policy: Students receiving, GI® Bill benefit (VA Educational Benefits), Workforce Education Funding and Early Achievers Grant must adhere to the RTC Academic Satisfactory Policy and other criteria that are required by specific fund sources.

Funding-based Academic Satisfactory Policy: Students receiving funding from RTC Foundation Scholarship, Outside Scholarships and other third-party sources must refer to their specific agencies and donors’ terms/conditions and requirements to maintain their eligibility.

FA Disbursement and Refunds

Financial aid funding is scheduled to be disbursed regularly, as early as the first week of each quarter. To ensure accurate & timely refund disbursements, it is highly recommended that students finalize their enrollment at least a week prior to quarter start. Less than full-time enrolment, change in enrollment level, not meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP), change in program/enrollment level and other factors may delay disbursements or eligibility.

Tuition Payments

RTC is authorized to apply funding to students' accounts to pay tuition/fees.

Financial aid files are reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis to determine student eligibility. Financial aid offers are tentative based on students’ enrollment status, verification of individual eligibility and the availability of the federal, state, institutional and agency allocations. Students are required to enroll in courses that apply toward their declared financial aid (Title IV eligible programs). Receiving financial aid from two institutions at the same time may result in an overpayment and could lead to a reduction or cancellation of aid at RTC. Refer to Consortium Agreement (if applicable).

Electronic Refund Disbursement (BankMobile)

Financial aid refunds are scheduled to be disbursed between a quarter start and end date. To ensure accurate and timely refund disbursements, it is recommended that students finalize their enrollment at least a week before the start of the quarter. Less than full-time enrolment, change in enrollment level, not meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP), change in program and other factors may delay disbursements or eligibility.

Financial Aid Adjustments, Repayment and Overpayments

Financial Aid Adjustment

Typically, financial aid grants are offered based on full-time (12 credits or more) enrollment and prorated down if/when enrollment level is less than full-time. Funding is subject to adjustment during the census if enrollment status/program changes. If enrollment changes result in increasing aid eligibility, additional aid will be provided. Census is the 10th calendar day of Fall, Winter, and Spring quarter and the 6^th calendar day of Summer quarter.

Financial Aid Overpayment and Debt

When students’ enrollment and/or program changes resulted in decreasing aid eligibility, students may have debt that must be repaid to the school or agencies, as applicable. If students receive funding at two schools concurrently, they may be subject to overpayment and/or their aid at RTC may be reduced or cancelled. Unresolved/unpaid debt may impact students from enrolling in future quarters and obtaining record/credentials from RTC. 

Return to Title IV (R2T4)

It is students' responsibility to officially withdraw from courses. Dropping all courses may result in R2T4 repayment/overpayment. If all courses are dropped/withdrawn before completing more than 60% of the quarter, students may owe the unearned portion of federal aid disbursed and/or paid toward the tuition and fees. Unresolved repayment/overpayment to RTC and/or collection agencies may prevent future financial aid eligibility.

Last day of Attendance (LDA): an official and unofficial withdrawal is defined by Enrollment Services withdrawal procedures and students’ courses attendance/activity date reported by instructors. The Financial Aid Office is required to determine the amount of aid earned for the quarter using the LDA reported in the system for all financial aid eligible classes.  

Calculating the Earned & Return of Unearned Funds: the amount of Federal grants/loans earned is calculated by dividing the number of days attended by the number of days in the quarter. The portion of aid considered unearned is returned to the Department of Education.

Repayment and Debt: if all courses are dropped/withdrawn before completing more than 60% of the quarter, students may owe the unearned portion of federal grants/loans. The Financial Aid Office will notify students of the amount of aid earned for the quarter and update student accounts to reflect the return of the unearned portion to the appropriate federal aid program. This action may result in outstanding charges owed to the college based on the school refund policy. Students should monitor their ctcLink student account to resolve any owed balance. Unresolved repayment/overpayment to institution and/or collection agencies may prevent future financial aid eligibility. 

Post-Withdrawal Disbursements: if the student did not receive all of the funds that were earned prior to withdrawing, a post-withdrawal disbursement may be due to the student. This may also impact student SAP status. If the post-withdrawal disbursement includes loan funds, the student must give permission before the funds can be disbursed by responding to the financial aid office's request. 

Washington State Aid – Conditions of Award

By accepting state financial aid, you agree to the conditions listed below. If you have questions, or find that you cannot follow these conditions, please contact the Financial Aid Office.

1. You must meet the requirements for Washington State residency.
2. You do not owe a repayment to any state grant or scholarship, nor are you in default on a state student loan.
3. You must be enrolled in an eligible program and not be pursuing a degree in theology.
4. If you hold a bachelor's degree or the foreign equivalent, you are not eligible to receive state grant funds.
5. If you do not attend or if you withdraw from your classes, you may have a repayment of all or part of state funds you have received.
6. You must maintain the academic progress standards and FA SAP process established by your institution in order to receive additional state aid.
7. There could be other circumstances that would require a repayment or reduction in your current award amounts.
8. You must meet all eligibility requirements for the state aid program(s) awarded.
9. The offer of this financial assistance is subject to, and conditioned upon, the availability of funds. Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC) and the institution reserve the right to withdraw, reduce, or modify the awards due to funding limitations or due to changes in circumstances which affect your eligibility for the program(s).
10. If you fail to cash your check containing state funds or pickup any remaining funds by the close of the academic year, the funds shall be returned to the program at WSAC and treated as funds declined by you.

The State of Washington is offering you financial assistance to help support your educational expenses. Please visit www.opportunitypathways.wa.gov to receive more information about financial aid, scholarships, work-study, and student loans.

You may choose to voluntarily make financial contributions to WSAC in recognition of the assistance that you received. All voluntary contributions will be used to provide financial assistance to other students. Please contact finaid@wsac.wa.gov for more information.