Consumer Information

Fort Scott Community College is dedicated to serving our community of students. As school policy, state rules and federal legislation evolve, students should visit this page to learn about their rights and responsibilities at FSCC. Questions or concerns can be directed to the contact information included with policies. Students and their parents are also welcome to contact Tom Havron, Vice President of Student Affairs, for more information.

Our Mission Statement

Fort Scott Community College is an institution of higher learning with a long history of culture and diversity that provides affordable academic, technical and occupational programs to meet student needs while fostering a mutually supportive relationship between the college and its communities.

Admissions Policy

In accordance with the provisions of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972, and the Regulations of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services issued pursuant to these statutes at Title 45 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Parts 80, 84, and 91, and 28 CFR Part 35. Fort Scott Community College does not discriminate on the basis of any characteristic protected by law (such as sex, disability, age, race, color, or national origin) in all aspects of employment, admission, and participation in its education programs or activities. Inquiries concerning Fort Scott Community College’s compliance under these laws, should be directed to contact the College’s Compliance Officer/Human Resources Director, Fort Scott Community College, Fort Scott, Kansas 66701 620-223-2700.

Graduation and Retention Rates

Graduation Rates: 2014-2015

Overall graduation and transfer-out rates for students who began their studies in Fall 2011
Graduation Rate: 32%
Transfer-Out Rate: 27%
Retention rates for students who began their studies in Fall 2013 and returned in Fall 2014
Full-Time Retention Rate: 51%
Part-Time Retention Rate: 25%

Graduation Rates: 2015-2016

Overall graduation and transfer-out rates for students who began their studies in Fall 2012
Graduation Rate: 29%
Transfer-Out Rate: 25%
Retention rates for students who began their studies in Fall 2014 and returned in Fall 2015
Full-Time Retention Rate: 53%
Part-Time Retention Rate: 25%

Graduation Rates: 2016-2017

Overall graduation and transfer-out rates for students who began their studies in Fall 2013
Graduation Rate: 29%
Transfer-Out Rate: 31%
Retention rates for students who began their studies in Fall 2015 and Returned in Fall 2016
Full-Time Retention Rate: 55%
Part-Time Retention Rate: 24%

Graduation Rates: 2017-2018

Overall graduation and transfer-out rates for students who began their studies in Fall 2014
Graduation Rate: 28%
Transfer-Out Rate: 25%
Retention rates for students who began their studies in Fall 2016 and Returned in Fall 2017
Full-Time Retention Rate: 56%
Part-Time Retention Rate: 22%

Graduation Rates: 2018-2019

Overall graduation and transfer-out rate for students who began their studies in Fall 2015

Graduation Rate: 30%

Transfer-Out Rate: 31%

Retention rates for students who began their studies in Fall 2017 and Returned in Fall 2018

Full-Time Retention Rate: 58%

Part-Time Retention Rate: 24%

Graduation Rates: 2019-2020

Overall graduation and transfer-out rate for students who began their studies in Fall 2016

Graduation Rate: 33%

Transfer-Out Rate: 25%

Retention rates for students who began their studies in Fall 2017 and Returned in Fall 2018

Full-Time Retention Rate: 54%

Part-Time Retention Rate: 47%

Secondary Student Recruitment

(adopted by KACROA & KCA )

As an active member of KACRAO (Kansas Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers) FSCC aligns and abides by the Policies set forth under the guidance of the National Association for College Admission Counseling.  Section 1 B of The Ethical Core of College Admission states:  Professional Conduct: Guiding Principles and Rationale Advocating for the best interests of students in the admission process is the primary ethical concern of our profession. This requires that students receive college admission counseling that they can trust. Members will therefore adhere to high standards of individual and institutional professional conduct. Conflicts of interest, whether real or perceived, and unprofessional conduct undermine that trust.  Sub part 2, sections a,b, and c, The Implementation guidance policy is as follows:  2. To avoid conflicts of interest and the appearance of unethical behavior, members will: a. not be compensated by commissions, bonuses, or other incentive payments based on the number of students referred, recruited, admitted, or enrolled. The use of commissioned agents to recruit students who are neither US citizens nor US permanent residents is a recognized exception (See Section II.E., The Use of Commissioned Agents in International Student Recruitment) b. not offer or accept any reward or remuneration to influence an admission, housing, scholarship, financial aid, or enrollment decision c. ensure that representatives, including individuals, vendors, consultants, agents, or agencies, will adhere to NACAC’s Code of Ethics and Professional Practices while acting on the institution’s behalf.

All school’s counselors have the right to expect and demand professional behavior from any person coming into the school to interact with students. Therefore, athletic, ROTC, and other individual departmental recruiters, as well as proprietary schools and military agencies, shall adhere to the Statement of Good Practices adopted by the Kansas Counseling Association (KCA) and the Kansas Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (KACRAO), stipulated for KACRAO members.

The official admissions representative shall be designated by and responsible to the director of admissions of said university or college. Individual departments should work with the corresponding departmental people within the secondary schools. Other individuals such as alumni shall schedule their activities after school hours unless requested by the high school.

High School Visits

The Admissions Office representative shall make student visitation requests to the secondary school counselor using professional courtesy and judgment. You, as Admissions Professionals, are to adhere and work around each high school’s scheduled visitation times. The representative shall make requests for school visits with specific students only through the counselor and is encouraged to provide the counselor with a list of prospective students with whom he/she would like to meet.

The representative shall report directly to the counselor upon arrival at the high school and shall allow adequate time to give all students the opportunity to have interaction with the representative. Though the local high school determines the number of visits, it is recommended that there be no more than two per year by the individual institutions. The representative shall be allowed to visit during the school day if the visit does not interfere with academic exercises. KACRAO member institutions shall not use current college students for recruitment purposes during regular high school hours.

The high school counselor shall provide students with information about the proposed visit from the post-secondary school. They shall adequately provide students with knowledge of this upcoming visit. The high school counselor should provide adequate meeting space for this visit.

Campus Visits

The campus visit is an integral part of the student’s selection process. Students shall actively be encouraged to visit one or more post-secondary institutions. Senior Days and other special campus events serve their purpose; however, students should be permitted to visit a campus during a school day so that daily campus operations may be observed.

The high school counselor or students may arrange with the admissions counselor a date well in advance to the proposed visit. The high school counselor should help provide insight to the prospective student(s) as to what should be accomplished during this visit. The students shall fulfill their part of the scheduled visit by reporting to the campus at the designated place and time. Students should notify institution of any change of plans. The admissions counselor shall provide students with a representative view of the institution including visits with departmental, special activity, financial aid, and housing representatives.

Home Visits

The admissions officer shall make visits to the student’s home only with the prior approval of both the student and the student’s parents and with consideration of the family’s privacy and time.

Drug and Alcohol Policy

Alcoholic beverages and illegal drugs are prohibited on college property. Possession, distribution or use of alcoholic beverages, 3.2 beer, or the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensing, possession or use of a controlled substance on the Fort Scott Community College Campus, within the college buildings or at any college-sponsored event is strictly prohibited. Violation will result in immediate disciplinary action up to and including dismissal from college.

Fort Scott Community College’s Alcohol and Drug Education services provides timely and accurate information on the physical effects and social issues related alcohol and other drugs use and abuse. Campus services provided included individual counseling regarding alcohol and other drug issues, alcohol/drug information, basic assessment and intervention assistance, educational presentations, and professional referral resources.

Equity in Athletics

Financial Aid Policies

Applying for Financial Aid

Disbursement Policy

Financial Aid Eligibility

Financial Aid Programs

Student Loan Information

Subsidized Direct Loans will be offered only to students with need based on a valid Student Aid Report.

Unsubsidized Direct Loans will be available to students and not based on their need as calculated by their Estimated Family Contribution (EFC). The amount of eligibility will not exceed the maximum amount of the yearly allocation allowed by the Department of Education (DOE) and not exceed their cost of attendance. The FA office will package the maximum amount for which the student is eligible.

Student loan limits are as listed below:

  • Dependent 1st year:
  • Subsidized: $3500
  • Unsubsidized: $2000
  • Dependent 2nd year:
  • Subsidized: $4500
  • Unsubsidized: $2000
  • Independent 1st year:
  • Subsidized: $3500
  • Unsubsidized: $6000
  • Independent 2nd year:
  • Subsidized: $4500
  • Unsubsidized: $6000

Stafford Loans will not be processed for students attending less than half time. If a student is attending less than full time their tuition, fees and books and supplies components of their annual Cost of Attendance (COA) will be reduced. Students are notified of any changes through their student e-mail account.

Parent plus loans for undergraduate students are available to parents who are in need of additional funds. Parents can apply for the PLUS loan at studentaid.gov

If a dependent student’s parents have been denied a parent PLUS loan a dependent may qualify for additional unsubsidized loan funds.

Students must complete online entrance counseling and a master promissory note at studentaid.gov prior to loan origination. Loan step instructions are included in the online acceptance through GIZMO.

Federal Student Aid Ombudsman

The Federal Student Aid Ombudsman Group of the U.S. Department of Education is dedicated to helping resolve disputes related to Direct Loans, Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program loans, Guaranteed Student Loans, and Perkins Loans. The Ombudsman Group is a neutral, informal, and confidential resource to help resolve disputes about your federal student loans.

Contact information
Online assistance
Telephone: (877) 557-2575
Fax: 606-396-4821
Mail:
FSA Ombudsman Group
PO Box 1843
Monticello, KY 42633

Work Study

Students would have the opportunity to indicate if they are interested in work-study when they accept/decline their financial aid awards in GIZMO. This would be presented with a “yes” or “no” question.

The financial aid office runs a daily/weekly batch to find those students who indicated that they were interested in work-study.

Those who answered “yes” are then be checked to determine eligibility.

If they are not eligible, they will be sent an e-mail thanking them for their inquiry and explaining that they are not eligible for the program. If the student is eligible, they will be sent an e-mail with a job application attached. Within the job application we will list all work-study departments and the job description. The student will indicate their top three choices for work-study placement. The job application will be turned into the financial aid office.

The financial aid office will pass on the student’s contact information to the department(s) that they indicated that they were interested in.

The student will take their FCWS application to the individual department; the supervisor will hire the student, fill out completely his/her section of the application and inform the student to return the application to the FA office. At that time the financial aid office will complete the necessary forms which will be sent to the HR department.

Forms required to be on file either in the financial aid office or business office:

  • Copy of the student’s driver’s license or pictured ID.
  • Copy of the student’s original Social Security Card or Birth Certificate.
  • A signed FSCC Anti-Drug statement.
  • A completed and signed Federal I-9 form.
  • A completed and signed Federal IRS Form W4.
  • A completed and signed Kansas Form W4.

The application with all the correct information filled out by the student and supervisor. Also the complete job description must be described.

Incomplete packets will be returned to the supervisor.

After the student has been hired and has completed the necessary papers and forms for payment they will be issued an Assignment Sheet which they need to deliver to their supervisor.

The weekly period is figured from Monday through Sunday of each week. The supervisors are required to have any or all student time entered into POISE and approved by the first of each month. The paper time sheets signed by the supervisor must also be turned in to HR when the time is approved.

Fort Scott Community College pays the College work-study student on the fifteenth of each month. If the fifteenth of the month falls on Saturday or Sunday, students will be paid on the previous Friday. The Business Office will process the pay and disburse to the student via direct deposit to either their Hound Card or a designated bank account.

Financial Aid Code of Conduct

An institutional financial aid professional is expected to always maintain exemplary standards of professional conduct in all aspects of carrying out his or her responsibilities, specifically including all dealings with any entities involved in any manner in student financial aid, regardless of whether such entities are involved in a government sponsored, subsidized, or regulated activity. In doing so, a financial aid professional should:

  • Refrain from taking any action for his or her personal benefit.
  • Refrain from taking any action he or she believes is contrary to law, regulation, or the best interests of the students and parents he or she serves.
  • Ensure that the information he or she provides is accurate, unbiased, and does not reflect any preference arising from actual or potential personal gain.
  • Be objective in making decisions and advising his or her institution regarding relationships with any entity involved in any aspect of student financial aid.
  • Refrain from soliciting or accepting anything of other than nominal value from any entity (other than an institution of higher education or a governmental entity such as the U.S. Department of Education) involved in the making, holding, consolidating or processing of any student loans, including anything of value (including reimbursement of expenses) for serving on an advisory body or as part of a training activity of or sponsored by any such entity.
  • Disclose to his or her institution, in such manner as his or her institution may prescribe, any involvement with or interest in any entity involved in any aspect of student financial aid

Net Price Calculator

Refund and Payment Options

  • Refunds

A student who officially drops a class may receive a full refund if he or she does so prior to the designated drop date for the course. Refunds are calculated based on the date the student officially drops in the Registrar’s Office or upon receipt of correspondence from the student indicating he or she has dropped. Refunds should be requested from the business office at the time of official drop. If a student withdraws from a class, no refund is issued.

  • Return of Federal Financial Assistance (Title IV Funds)

The U.S. Department of Education specifies how Fort Scott Community College must determine the amount of Student Financial Aid program assistance that is earned if a student withdraws from all classes. Either a full withdrawal from all classes or all “F’s” before completion of 60% of the semester may result in the student being in a re-payment situation with both FSCC and the Department of Education. Details of this regulation under Section 668.22 in the Federal Register are available in the Financial Aid Office. Students contemplating withdrawal should consult with the Financial Aid Office to see how the withdrawal would affect their Federal Aid and if they will be responsible for a repayment. Students who decide to withdraw must complete the necessary forms in the Student Services Office.

Satisfactory Academic Progress

Professional Licensure and Certification

Fort Scott Community College offers several programs leading to certification or licensure. While those programs meet the requirements for the state of Kansas, requirements vary by state of residence. In accordance with the Department of Education guidelines, the link below provides information regarding licensure or certification requirements outside of the state of Kansas. FSCC strongly encourages prospective students to contact licensing offices in the state the students plans to work, as additional requirements may be needed.

Professional Licensure Information

Missing Persons Procedure

Fort Scott Community College believes every effort should be taken to provide a safe environment for a student’s study and recreational pursuits. Safety and security is, however, a shared responsibility. No plan or procedure is effective unless the entire campus community strives to recognize the importance. The following missing student notification procedure has been established in response to the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008, which mandates that all institutions with Residential Housing must have a plan in place.

A student may be considered to be a “missing person” when he/she is reported as missing by another individual and/or when there is suspicion the missing person is absent from campus due to a health or safety issue such as a victim of a crime, an abusive relationship, expressed distressful comments such as suicidal comments, etc.

All reports of missing students shall be directed to the office of the Dean of Students. When a student is reported missing, Student Services staff will initiate an investigation and proceed in the following manner:

  1. Verify student is not in assigned resident hall room, in their scheduled academic class and/or at their scheduled activity (i.e. activity/athletic practice, game, performance).
  2. If the student has registered a vehicle on campus, check all parking lots to determine if vehicle is on campus.
  3. If the student has listed a cell phone number on the enrollment form, call and send a text message to the phone number.
  4. Contact Activity Sponsor and/or Athletic Coach, if applicable, to identify last contact with student.
  5. Contact roommate in addition to individuals in the suite and quad to determine the last sighting of the student.
  6. If the individual has a student email account, send an email.
  7. Email and/or phone the student’s instructors to pinpoint the last class period the student attended.
  8. Check social networking sites such as Facebook/Instagram to identify the student’s last log in status time.
  9. Conduct a quick, but thorough, search of all resident hall rooms.
  10. Resident Hall contracts specifically state FSCC may notify parent or guardian in case of an emergency or in a situation which is deemed to be a potential risk to a student’s health or safety. Phone parent/guardian to identify their last contact.
  11. Notify the City of Fort Scott Police Department if the above actions are not successful in locating the student. FSCC may disclose the following information, in response to a law enforcement request, for the purpose of identifying or locating a missing person, material witness, fugitive or suspect:
    1. Name and Address
    2. Date and place of birth
    3. Social Security Number
    4. A description of distinguishing physical character tics such as height, weight, gender, race, hair and eye color, scars, tattoos, etc.
    5. Vehicle registration information such as automobile make, model, and tag number, etc.

Online Account Information

Tuberculosis Policy

Withdrawal from Courses

It is the students’ responsibility to periodically check their class schedule in their GIZMO account. Students are responsible for adding, dropping, or withdrawing from a class. If students have questions about their class schedules, they should contact the Advising Office.

  • Drop for Not Attending the First Day of Class – Students who do not attend class on the first day may be dropped from the class and have to re-enroll. For a student to re-enroll in a class, he or she would follow the procedure detailed below in the section “Class Schedule Changes: Adding a Class.” If the class is full, the student will be put on a wait list if he/ she is dropped from the course for not attending the first day of class.
  • Withdrawal for Nonpayment – Students who have not made formal financial arrangements with the College by the 20th day of class may be withdrawn from the class. It is the student’s responsibility to find out how much is owed and to pay tuition and fees; this information is available through the student’s GIZMO account. The College attempts to contact the student using the FSCC-assigned email, so the student is responsible for regularly checking his/her FSCC-assigned email. Financial arrangements may include full payment, financial aid, or with payments set up with the Business Office
  • Dropping/Withdrawing from a Class – Students wanting to drop or withdraw from a class should see the Student Services Office for the appropriate form to fill out; the form must be signed by the student and returned to the Registrar’s Office. Students are also responsible for knowing which courses they need and ensuring that they are enrolled in the appropriate courses. Anyone not enrolled in a class by the final day to add a class (usually 5 days after courses begin for 16 week courses) may not earn a grade for the class, even if he/she does all work required.
  • Dropping a Class during the Refund Period – Students with proper authorization may drop classes using the on-line CAMPUS CONNECT service during the refund period. All other students must submit the request to the Registrar’s Office on the appropriate form available from the Advising Office. The student must obtain the written approval of his or her advisor before the requested “drop” will be processed. Courses dropped during the following specific time period will result in no record on the student’s official transcript: the first two weeks of the Fall and Spring Semesters (16 weeks). Students are strongly encouraged to discuss the contemplated drop with their advisor as there may be financial, scholarship, graduation, or other academic implications associated with any drop. It is the student’s responsibility to submit the completed drop form to the Registrar.
  • Withdrawal from Class after the Refund Period – A student desiring to withdraw from a class after the first four weeks of the Fall and Spring semesters must submit the request to the Registrar’s Office on the appropriate form. The form is available from the Advising Office. No refund will be given. Students are strongly encouraged to discuss the contemplated withdrawal with their advisor as there may be financial, scholarship, graduation, or other academic implications associated with the withdrawal. It is the student’s responsibility to submit the completed withdrawal form to the Registrar. No withdrawal will be accepted after the end of the 13th calendar week of the fall or spring semester. A withdrawal results in a grade of “W,” which is interpreted as “no hours attempted, no hours completed, and no academic grade points credited” on the FSCC transcript. The student shall not expect or request that a representative of the college initiate a withdrawal on his or her behalf. The appropriate form for executing a withdrawal from a course must be used and signed by the student.

Alcohol, Drugs, and Pregnancy

National Drug & Alcohol Treatment Referral Service:  

Dial 1-800-662-HELP for Treatment Locator

Website: http://findtreatment.samhsa.gov

Narcotics Anonymous: http://www.na.org/

Alcoholics Anonymous: http://www.aa.org/

FSCC Emergency Information

For emergencies only—FSCC Campus Security: 620-224-7207

All other calls:
(800) 874-3722