The Griffon News

If you were among the students frustrated by long lines in the financial aid office, find solace in the fact that you are not alone. Many found themselves slowed down by bureaucracy.

Due to newly passed illegal immigration legislation in Missouri, there will be an extra step in the loan disbursement process from now on. Students must provide proof of citizenship prior to the disbursement of funds.

“The benefits will truly outweigh the inconvenience for the students, providing them with additional funds that do not have to be repaid,” Kathy Feith, director of student financial aid said. “In a time when money is critical and tuition and fees are overwhelming at times to college students, these funds will provide relief for many students.”

The new law House bill 1549 went into effect August 28 and directly affected the state’s higher education and Missouri Access by revising laws regarding illegal aliens and immigration status verification.
According to Cynthia Spotts-Conrad senior coordinator of the financial aid office, as of Sept. 13 funds had been paid to 1,434 students amounting to $1,642,922 in funds.

However there are still 187 students who have not completed the process that will enable them to collect their financial aid. The pending funds are estimated to be at about $187,000 for the fall term. By state law, the students must provide the required documentation prior to disbursement.

Other than the end of the award year, there is no formal deadline to collect financial aid. Students should be aware that state funds are limited and should complete the process as soon as possible.

“Although there are some requirements implemented by the state, once the requirement is met the student will not have to provide this again, so the inconvenience is short-lived,” Feith said.

Most students became aware of the policy change because of an e-mail in their Groupwise accounts. It stated, “The state of Missouri recently passed legislation requiring ALL recipients of state financial assistance to provide proof of United States Citizenship prior to disbursement of funds.”

Students whose loans have not been applied to their accounts are encouraged by the Financial Aid office to check their e-mail for the notification to verify citizenship.

For Missouri Western this meant requiring all students to present “affirmative proof” prior to disbursement of scholarships or state grants.

Students without Missouri identification or a driver’s license could submit other forms of identification including a birth certificates, US passport, etc.

The verification process can be completed at the Business Office, Student Services or Student Development.
For many students the consequences of the new bill simply means longer lines in the financial aid office as they wait to have their proof of citizenship photo copied for verification. Some students even went so far as to delay the verification process in hopes that lines would lessen as more students completed the process.
Angela Clay, a social work and sociology major tried on three different days to complete verification in order to ensure the award of her funds.

“Have you seen the lines? Just to make a copy. Shouldn’t the FAFSA weed things out?” Clay said.

Despite the fact that all students who receive state aid must first complete a FAFSA, an application process which includes data matches with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

According to the Missouri Department of Education it “Forbids the use of the citizenship match process for any purpose other than determining eligibility for Title IV assistance. The statute specifically asks for documentation that confirms aliens’ lawful presence in the U.S. The majority of students for whom an ISIR is created are not aliens.”

Recipients of the Missouri Access program were among the students affected. Other programs affected include: the Bright Flight Scholarship, A Plus Program, Marguerite Ross Barnett Scholarship, Public Service Survivor Grant, Heroes Act Waiver, Vietnam Veteran’s Survivor Grant, Gear Up Scholarship, and Teacher Education Scholarship.