The Office of Financial Aid is responsible for the administration of the student financial aid programs and financial counseling to students who apply for aid.

Students applying for financial aid should complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students should apply over the Internet at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov, FAFSA applications are also available at the SIPI Financial Aid Office (FAO) located in the Administration Building, Room 102. The office hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Financial Aid personnel are available to assist students with completing the financial aid applications. For additional help in filling out the FAFSA, students can go to the DOE "Applying for Financial Aid" web site at http://www.studentaid.ed.gov . Students are encouraged to apply as early as possible in order to meet financial aid deadlines and eliminate a delays in obtaining financial aid. Information and assistance concerning the various financial aid programs can be obtained from various high school counselors, BIA and tribal education counselors or by calling the FAO at SIPI (505) 346-2344/2361. SIPI's Title IV school code is 011185. For additional school codes log on to http://www.fafsa.ed.gov.

• To receive financial aid, students must be enrolled as a regular student in an eligible program.
• To qualify for a full-time financial aid award, students are required to carry a minimum class load of twelve (12) credit hours, and maintain satisfactory academic progress of 2.0 GPA minimum. Part-time students are also eligible for financial aid.
• Students may not owe an overpayment on a PELL grant and must not be in default on any Title IV loans at any school previously attended.
• Transfer students must provide an academic transcript from every post-secondary school they attended, even though they may not have received any financial aid. Effective July 1, 2000 schools are authorized to use data from the NSLDS to monitor the financial aid history of all applicants for Federal student aid. Academic transcripts will be reviewed to quantify academic progress. SIPI currently has a maximum timeframe not to exceed 150% of the published length of the program for Federal financial aid eligibility.
• Students must have a high school diploma or GED certificate.
• Students must answer questions about drug convictions. In some cases, students convicted of drug-related offenses may not be eligible to receive federal financial aid for a period of time.
• Male students must register (or have registered) for Selective Service, if between the ages of 18-25. If you are male and have not registered yet, you may obtain forms at your local post office or visit the web site for more info: http://www.sss.gov

The net price calculator is for prospective and current students. By answering a few simple questions, the calculator will present you with an estimate of your full-time 2011–2012 cost of attendance and financial aid at Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute.

When you complete the calculator online form, you are not applying for aid. Please visit SIPI's Financial Aid Office to apply for financial aid.

Please click here for the Net Price calculator

SIPI Financial Aid Office - Deadlines & Pay Dates 2012-2013 (in PDF format)

Dependent Verification Form (in PDF format)

Independent Verification Form (in PDF format)

Question 23 Worksheet (in PDF format)

Request for Review of Dependency Status (in PDF format)

Form 4506T-EZ Tax Transcript Request Form (in PDF format)

Non-Tax Filers Statement (in PDF format)

Financial Aid SAP Appeal Form (in PDF format)

Students at SIPI can receive aid through grants, work-study and other programs, most of which are based on need. Once the Financial Aid Office determines how much and what kind of aid a student may be eligible to receive, a financial aid package is prepared to meet the student's need. Financial Aid Programs include:

The Title IV Consolidation Appropriation Act of 2012 limits the amount of Federal Pell Grant eligibility to 12 full time semesters for all recipients. The new law applies to all previous, current and future Federal Pell Grant disbursements.

In order to make sure educational goals are achieved within the 12 full time semesters timeframe, recipients should follow a degree plan and periodically meet with an Academic Advisor or Counselor to discuss graduation or transfer plans. Once notified by the Department of Education and/or SIPI Financial Aid Office, recipients who exceed the 12 full time semesters timeframe cannot receive a Federal Pell Grant for any future coursework.

FAQs

Q. How will I be notified if I’ve exceeded the LEU (Lifetime Eligibility Used) timeframe?
A. You will receive an e-mail from the Department of Education.

Q. What if I attend another institution or change majors, will my LEU timeframe be reset?
A. No, the LEU timeframe does not reset itself based on transferring to another institution or changing your major.

Q. Is there any appeal or continuation process available if I’ve exceeded the LEU timeframe?
A. No, There is not a process through the Department of Education or SIPI FAO to continue receiving Federal Pell Grant funds once the timeframe has been exceeded.

Q. If I’ve exceeded the LEU timeframe, can I still receive other types of aid?
A. As long as you are meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress) and all other requirements, you may be eligible and can apply for other types of aid.

Q. How can I check my LEU percentage to monitor the total amount of Federal Pell Grant I’ve currently used?
A. In mid-July, you will be able to log on to the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) to view your LEU percentage http://www.nslds.ed.gov

Click here  for the Pell Information flyer in PDF format.

This program is designed to provide financial assistance to students through part-time employment on campus. Work-study students are paid the minimum wage and payments are issued on a bi-weekly basis. Work schedules are determined by class schedules and job requirements.

The Supplemental Educational Grant (SEOG) is available to exceptionally needy students who wish to attend SIPI. Students with the greatest of need and who are PELL eligible.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Pell Eligible
• Must have graduated from a New Mexico high school or obtained a GED from New Mexico.
• Must not be receiving any other type of aid.

The NMSSIG is available for New Mexico residents who are full-time students, are PELL eligible and who are determined to have exceptional need. If funds are available, part-time students may be eligible.

NOTE: SIPI does not participate in any loan programs.

Students interested in receiving financial aid from the following programs must apply directly with the appropriate agency:

A transfer scholarship that is worth up to $30,000 a year!  SIPI is allowed to nominate 2 students for national consideration.  The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation will award 60 scholarships in total.   To be considered for nomination, a student needs to submit a application on-line - Jack Kent Cooke Foundation

The Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship program provides funding for tuition, room and board, required fees, and books for the remainder of the Scholar's undergraduate degree.   Awards can be for as much as $30,000 annually!

Minimum Eligibility:
-Be a current student at SIPI with sophomore status, OR a recent SIPI graduate not yet enrolled in a BA program (within the last five years)
-Have a cumulative college grade point average of 3.50 or better on a 4.0 scale (or the equivalent)
-Plan to transfer to a four-year college or university to begin studies in the coming fall 2012 and;
-Be nominated for 1 of 2 spots by SIPI's scholarship selection committee.

For questions, please contact Mely Mitchell, SIPI Financial Aid Specialist, at 505-346-2344 or at  Melynda.Mitchell@BIE.EDU

Students may be eligible to participate in the BIA/Tribal Higher Education or Adult Vocational Training Programs. Applications must be submitted to agencies well in advance of enrollment at SIPI. Availability of funds is determined by the funding agency. To apply for funding contact or write your BIA/Tribal Scholarship Offices. Students must complete a FAFSA in order for FAO to complete a financial needs analysis to respective BIA/Tribal Higher Education Offices.

Students are encouraged to complete their veterans application on line at: http://vabenefits.vba.va.gov. Eligible students will then need to contact the SIPI certifying official, submit current class schedule, DD-214, certificate of eligibility, and transcripts from previous colleges.

Written records of previous education and training are maintained to show that appropriate credit has been given for the previous education. The training program at SIPI is then shortened proportionately. Information about eligibility for VA education and training benefits is available at any Veterans Administration Office. The Albuquerque Veterans Administration is located at 500 Gold Avenue SW 87102, Call toll free 1-800-827-1000 (NM Residents) or visit: http://www.va.gov.

Disabled persons may be eligible for education and training benefits from DVR. The Albuquerque offices include: The Albuquerque office include: 7905 Marble Avenue NE, (505) 232-8701; 300 San Mateo NE, Suite 101, (505) 841-6450; Disability Determination Services, 3121 Amherst Drive, NE, (505) 841-5600; DVR Toll Free Numbers - 1-800-224-7005; 1-877-475-8226 TTY. DVR Web site: http://www.dvrgetsjobs.com. Students may also contact the on-campus counselor at (505) 346-2319.

In specific instances, disabled students may be eligible to draw educational benefits through Social Security. Information on the application process and eligibility requirements may be requested by calling 1-800-772-1213. Visit SSA web site: http://www.ssa.gov.

Students are encouraged to initiate independent research for other scholarship assistance to supplement their expenses. Some resources are posted at the SIPI Financial Aid Office scholarship wall.

J.P. and the Hearst Foundation
Click here for more information (in PDF format)

Sprint Tribal College, Joseph and Sophia Abeles, UPS Foundation and AICF General Fund Scholarships $2250-$250
Click here for more information (in PDF format)

Udall Scholarship
Please see the Financial Aid office for more information.

American Indian College Fund-General Scholarship
Students are encouraged to apply on-line at http://www.collegefund.org. Awards are available for full-time students with a 2.5 GPA enrolled in the fall or spring trimester. Fall and spring application deadlines and eligibility details will be posted at the beginning of each trimester.

Financial Aid Appeal Form (in PDF format)

American Indian College Fund-Special Scholarship
Students are encouraged to apply on-line at http://www.collegefund.org. The application deadline for the 2012-2013 academic year is June 30, 2012. All award decisions are made by the American Indian College Fund.

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