The purpose of the policy is to guide the Admissions Department process and to provide guidance to those students who have been requested to demonstrate proof of a high school diploma or equivalent as part of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) verification process.
This policy applies to all students and those students receiving financial aid at Madera Community College who have been selected for FAFSA verification.
As part of the process if selected for verification, the student is required to submit an official High School Transcript demonstrating that the student graduated from High School or an official GED with passing grades/scores to demonstrate that the student has the Ability to Benefit from a college education. If the student did not graduate from High School or is unable to obtain an official High School transcript due to circumstances beyond the student’s control, MCC will accept an official college academic transcript(s) with 60 or more earned hours (the equivalent of an Associate degree). Students who enrolled in an eligible college program before July 1, 2012, also have the option to submit an official college transcript(s) with six hours of earned credit or one of the ATB tests approved by the Department of Education with passing scores.
Students who are required to submit documentation of high school completion for verification purposes must submit documentation matching the self-reported data on the FAFSA high school completion question. For example, if a student reported on the FAFSA that the high school completion was the GED test, the student should provide documentation of GED completion.
If MCC or the Department has reason to believe the diploma/transcripts is not valid or was not obtained from an entity that provides secondary school education, the admission office will investigate to confirm the school is recognized by the appropriate entity approved by the state department of education, a recognized home school association approved by the state department of education, the state attorney General’s office or by other means.
