Financial Aid Information
Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I get more information about financial aid?

Contact the Financial Aid Office of your home college or browse the school's website. More and more schools are sharing information electronically with prospective students and their families. The public library is also an excellent place to find information about paying for college. If you are in high school, you may want to contact your high school guidance counselor.

The internet is a great place to look for information. A number of websites exist that provide general financial aid information. The Department of Education's website for students is located at www.studentaid.org.; Another website that provides lots of information is www.finaid.org.

Can you get financial aid for online classes?

If you are enrolled as a regular student in an eligible program, you may be eligible to receive federal student aid. Please contact the institution that will be granting your degree/diploma to determine your specific eligibility.

How do I apply for financial aid?

To apply for federal and state student aid, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by the appropriate deadlines. You may complete a paper FAFSA form or via the web at www.fafsa.ed.gov. If you complete the FAFSA online, you will need to apply for a PIN to sign your FAFSA online. Please check with your home college to see if there are any institutional forms or processes that must be completed.

I am an older student.
Am I eligible to receive financial assistance?

Age is not a factor in determining eligibility for Federal Student Aid programs.

Do I make too much money to get
financial aid?

Every student, regardless of income, can be eligible for a student loan if other eligibility criteria are met. Students should fill out the FAFSA early each year so that they will have the opportunity to consider all of their student aid options.

Who is eligible to receive financial assistance?

To determine your federal and state aid eligibility, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and list the school that you will be attending on the FAFSA.  Your school will determine what types of federal and state aid for which you qualify using the Student Aid Report (the results of the FAFSA) and any other documentation that the school requires you to provide.

To receive federal student aid, you must meet the basic student eligibility requirements outlined by the U.S. Department of Education:

• Be qualified to enroll in a postsecondary education

• Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a regular student working toward a degree or certificate in an eligible program

• Meet satisfactory academic progress standards

• Be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen

• Have a valid Social Security number

• Certify that you are not in default on a federal student loan and do not owe money on a federal student grant

• Comply with Selective Service registration, if required.

What types of financial aid am
I eligible to receive?

Your home college will determine what types of federal and state student aid you are eligible to receive as soon as they have a compete and correct Student Aid Report (the results from your FAFSA).  Using the EFC (Expected Family Contribution) number from your Student Aid Report and the institution’s cost of attendance, the school can calculate your financial need (Cost of Attendance minus EFC) which helps to determine the types of aid that you may receive.  The EFC will also determine your Pell Grant eligibility.  Other factors also influence your aid eligibility or levels of eligibility; they are your enrollment, grade level, and program of study.

To sum it up--After you have completed the FAFSA and your home college has received your Student Aid Report, please contact the Financial Aid Office to see what types of aid you may be eligible to receive.

When will I find out if I have received
financial aid?

After you have completed the FAFSA, verification (if required), and returned any other documents requested by your home college, the institution should notify you in some format of your financial aid award package. If you have any questions as to the status of your financial aid, please contact the Financial Aid Office at your home college. Some schools may require you to apply for admission before they begin processing your financial aid.

If I have questions about my financial aid award, who should I contact?

Contact the Financial Aid Office at your home college. The Financial Aid Administrator at a postsecondary institution combines various forms of aid into a "package" to help meet a student's need. Using available resources to give each student the best possible package of aid is one of the aid administrator's major responsibilities. Because funds are often limited, a financial aid package might fall short of the amount for which a student is eligible. Also, the amount of federal student aid in a financial aid package is affected by other sources of aid received (scholarships, state aid, etc.).

Can my financial aid pay for textbooks?

Federal financial aid is awarded to help cover school expenses, including tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, and transportation. Aid can also help pay for a computer and for dependent care.

There are three categories of student aid: grants/scholarships, work-study, and loans. Check with your home college to see what aid programs are available and how any funds awarded to you can help with the cost of textbooks.

How do I get my financial aid check?

Your home college can credit your grant and loan funds to your school account, pay out directly (usually by check), or combine these methods. Also, with your permission, schools can credit your bank account (if offered). Schools must disburse at least once per term (semester, trimester, or quarter). Schools that don't use formally defined, traditional terms must disburse funds at least twice per academic year.Check with your home college to see how and when you will receive the aid awarded to you.

Where can I find scholarships?

First, check with your home college to see what scholarships are offered; be sure that you know the deadlines for applying for these scholarships. Finding outside or private scholarships (grant money other than that provided by your college or university) is a challenging, time consuming but worthwhile task. It is always helpful to use one of the many free scholarship search services available on the internet. These sites will compile a profile of your activities, interests, achievements and academics to match you to scholarship sources for which you may be eligible.

Beware of scholarship scams. Do not provide payment or credit card information until you have checked to see that a reputable business is offering a service for which you are willing to pay.

Can I use my GI Bill for online courses?

The Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB AD) (Active Duty) is available for active duty and veterans to help

with education costs. The Bill provides up to 36 months of education benefits for:

• College, Business Technical or Vocational Courses

• Distance Learning including Correspondence Courses

• Certification Tests

• Apprenticeship/Job Training (Veterans and Reserve Only)

• Flight Training

Call 1-888-GI-Bill1 for additional information or contact the Veterans' Advisor at your home college.