Consortium Agreements
A consortium agreement is a written contract required by federal regulations between two schools that allows students to receive financial aid based on the total hours of enrollment at both schools within the agreement. Schools are not required to enter into consortium agreements.
If a degree-seeking HCC student has a valid and approved academic reason for requesting a consortium agreement, HCC will serve as the ‘home’ school. If requested and approved, HCC will serve as the ‘host’ school for visiting students when terms of the consortium agreement can be fulfilled.
HCC Home School Procedures:
HCC degree-seeking students who are interested in receiving financial aid through HCC while taking some or all coursework at another institution must first meet with their academic advisor. Once approved by the academic advisor, the student must meet with a Financial Aid Counselor in Financial Aid Services (FAS) to complete the required paperwork.
A consortium agreement may be requested by a HCC degree-seeking student when one or more of the following conditions are met:
- The course is required for the student’s degree at HCC and not offered at HCC for that specific term; OR
- The course is required for the student’s degree at HCC and the course is full; OR
- An academic advisor determines the student can take the course at another institution for various academic reasons.
Important Note: Students must submit the consortium agreement request to Financial Aid Services at HCC by the census date for each semester they plan to enter into an agreement.
If the host school agrees to the conditions of the Consortium Agreement, the contract will be completed, signed, and returned to Financial Aid Services at HCC. Schools are not required to enter into consortium agreements so it is at the discretion of each institution to enter into such an agreement. Therefore, the consortium agreement is not officially approved until the completed contract and proof of enrollment from the host school is reviewed and processed by Financial Aid Services at HCC. The student's initial financial aid offer may be adjusted upon review of the contract. The Associate Director will advise students of the impact on any offered awards if the consortium agreement is approved (although this is typically discussed in the appointment with the Financial Aid Counselor).
All students who enter into a consortium agreement with HCC as the home school will be required to submit an official transcript from the host school to HCC's Records, Registration, and Veteran's Affairs within thirty days of the end of the semester. Aid for the semester for which the student entered into a consortium agreement may be adjusted if HCC does not receive confirmation that the student completed the course(s), and disbursements for upcoming semesters may be delayed until the official transcripts have been evaluated by HCC.
HCC Host School Procedures:
A student who is degree-seeking at another institution may want to enroll in coursework at HCC (host school) while obtaining financial aid from their home institution. The student must request the consortium agreement and obtain permission from their home institution.
Please Note: HCC will cancel all aid for any students found receiving financial aid concurrently at HCC and another school when HCC is serving as the “host” school under the consortium agreements therefore, students must be enrolled in an eligible certificate or degree program at their home school. Students participating in a consortium agreement will need to make payment arrangements with the HCC Cashier's office, to cover the tuition and fee charges for the coursework at HCC, since the student's "home" school will be processing the financial aid.