Financial Aid
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FAQ
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What form do I use to apply for financial aid?
In order to apply for financial aid you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid ( FAFSA). You and your parent, if applicable, may sign the FAFSA with a Personal Identification Number (PIN). See Scholarship Opportunities for institutional applications for scholarships. -
When do I apply?
Apply as soon as possible after January 1. (You need the previous year's income tax return and asset information for the FAFSA.) -
What is Cleveland State Community College's Title IV School Code?
003999 -
How long after I apply for financial aid can I expect to receive a response from the processor?
You will receive a confirmation page, with a confirmation number, after your application or correction is successfully submitted. Your confirmation number is proof that your application or correction was successfully submitted. Please print your confirmation page for your records. If you provided an e-mail address on your application or correction, you may choose to have the confirmation page e-mailed to you.
After you submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), you will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR). If you provided a valid e-mail address, you will receive an e-mail, within 3 to 5 days, with instructions on how to access an online copy of your SAR. If you did not provide a valid e-mail address, your SAR will be mailed to you via postal mail within 7 to 10 days. The colleges that you listed on your FAFSA will also receive your information electronically as soon as it is processed.
If your application is complete, an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) will display on your SAR. If your application is incomplete, your SAR will not include an EFC, but it will display text that specifies any issues that need to be resolved.
If your FAFSA is incomplete:
Make corrections to your FAFSA by clicking Start Here on the home page to log in to FAFSA on the Web. Click Make FAFSA Corrections, enter your PIN, and add or correct the information that caused your FAFSA to be incomplete. Submit your corrections. OR, add or correct information on your paper SAR, sign it, and mail it to the address provided
If your FAFSA is complete:
The EFC that displays on your SAR is a calculation based on the information that you reported on your FAFSA. Your college uses the EFC to determine the amount of federal grants, loans, and work-study for which you may be eligible. Your EFC is not the amount of money your family will have to pay for college nor is it the amount of federal student aid you will receive. It is a number used by your school to calculate the amount of federal student aid you are eligible to receive.
Your school, your state, or Federal Student Aid may ask you to verify the accuracy of the information you provide on the FAFSA . -
What is verification?
The U.S. Department of Education selects students’ Student Aid Reports (SAR) for verification of information submitted on the FAFSA. The Financial Aid Office also may select SARs for verification. The Financial Aid Office will notify you via Cougar Net regarding documentation or information to submit (tax returns, verification forms, etc.) to verify information on your SAR. -
Do I have to be a full-time student to receive financial aid?
No. You may receive a Federal Pell Grant at any enrollment status if you are otherwise eligible. You won't receive as much as you would if you were enrolled full-time, but the school must disburse your Pell Grant funds in accordance with your enrollment status. (Students with higher EFCs may not be eligible at a lower enrollment status.) However, in order to receive a loan, you must be enrolled at least half-time (a minimum of six hours.) -
When can I expect financial aid funds to be available?
If you have received and returned the required paperwork by the deadline date, your tuition and fees will be charged to your financial aid. If there are remaining funds, a credit balance check will be cut for you. You may pick up the check from the Business Office once it is ready and after you have attended all your classes the first time and attendance has been electronically verified by the instructor(s). -
Is it too late to apply for financial aid?
No. If you file late and your information is not received by the Financial Aid Office until after the deadline date, you may make payment and be reimbursed if you are eligible.
