A Consortium Agreement is used when a student needs a course(s) for their degree program but the Home School(Laurel Ridge) is not offering it or offers it during times that conflict with the student’s availability.
It is a contract between two colleges/universities that recognizes the registration of a student at the Home and Host School for financial aid purposes. It also certifies that only one of the two colleges/universities will administer financial aid for the student.
Steps for Consortium Agreements at Laurel Ridge:
Step 1: Connect
- Student speaks with Laurel Ridge Academic Advisor to ensure that the courses to be taken at the host school are required for degree/certificate here.
- Student contacts host school about their procedure for processing consortium agreements. Be aware that, as a consortium student, your aid payments may be delayed.
Step 2: Download
- Student downloads the form below and completes the Student Information section. Please read through the form carefully, as it contains important information.
Step 3: Advisor Sign Off
- Student meets or emails with Laurel Ridge CC advisor to have the form signed.
Step 4: Send to Host
- Student must send the form to the host school.
Step 5: Host Verification
- The host school must verify student enrollment and costs for the term, sign the form, and return the form to the Financial Aid Office at Laurel Ridge CC.
Step 6: Financial Aid
- Laurel Ridge Financial Aid Office will process it within 3 business days of receipt. Please Note: During disbursement and the first two weeks of the term, we are especially busy, and we may exceed the above processing time.
- Updates are sent in SIS via the Messages. Student should monitor it closely: Login to MyLaurelRidge, click SIS tile, click Messages in the Action Items & Messages tile.
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)
How do I know which school is my Home School?
Your financial aid will be awarded by the institution from which you will receive your degree.
The school from which you will graduate is designated as the “home” institution. The “home” institution must process the consortium agreement with the other school, designated as the “host” institution.
You must take enough credit hours at Laurel Ridge CC to qualify for financial aid, at least six hours for undergraduate students. If you enroll simultaneously at Laurel Ridge CC and another school, the total registration hours between the two schools will be used to determine your financial aid eligibility.
How do I pay for my classes & books at the Host Institution?
You are responsible for paying all costs due to the host institution upfront according to that institution’s payment policy. Even if you are receiving financial aid from your home institution, the host institution will not wait for a refund to be issued.
**Alternatively, if Laurel Ridge CC is the “home” institution, Laurel Ridge CC will not make payment directly to the “host” institution
Do I need to provide my transcript to Laurel Ridge once grades are posted at the Host Institution?
If you receive financial aid for classes taken at another college or university, Laurel Ridge CC must receive an official transcript of these courses, even though the grades could be detrimental to your completion rate.
It is your responsibility to provide an official transcript to Laurel Ridge CC. You may have to pay transcript fees to the host institution.
Note: We will take unofficial transcripts at the end of the summer and fall terms to calculate your satisfactory academic progress. We will require the official academic transcript at the end of spring term. If a student fails to provide an official transcript at the end of spring term, we will not process financial aid for the next award year until we receive the official transcript.
What can a Consoritum Agreement NOT be used for?
- Remedial and vocational/technical courses will not transfer and very few exceptions are allowed.
- You may not use classes that you are auditing for the consortium agreement.
- You may not repeat courses using the consortium agreement without first contacting both your advisor and the Financial Aid Office.
Where do I submit my completed Consortium Agreement document? Here are the options:
- Email: [email protected]
- Fax: 540-868-7274