FINANCIAL AID | How To Apply For Financial Aid
Financial aid is funding that will help you and your family meet college expenses such as tuition, fees, books, supplies, etc. The basic sources of aid are grants, scholarships, employment, and loans.
You and your parents (if you are dependent) are considered the primary sources of funding for these costs.
Financial aid is intended to fill the gaps where you and your parents might fall short in paying for your education.
Follow these steps to apply for financial aid at SCC: (Click headings to reveal each answers.)
- Apply for Admissions to SCC if You Haven’t Already
SUBMIT THE FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID (FAFSA): All students who wish to be considered for financial aid must complete a FAFSA. Apply online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. The FAFSA should be completed as soon as possible after January 1 for the upcoming academic year using your/your parent's prior year federal tax information. SCC priority filing date for the federal processing center to RECEIVE your FAFSA is MARCH 15. FAFSA's received by the priority filing date are given first consideration for federal and state financial aid programs that have limited funds. The toll free phone number for the federal processing center is 1-800-433-3243.
Priority Date to file the FAFSA: March 15.
- Retain
RETAIN the printout of your confirmation page after submitting your FAFSA online. This is your proof that you applied.
RETAIN a copy of the information you submitted for your files.
- Student Aid Report (SAR)
You will receive e-mail notification that your FAFSA has been received and processed. If no e-mail address is provided, approximately two weeks after submitting your FAFSA online (or four weeks after mailing the paper FAFSA), you should receive a SAR indicating that your FAFSA has been processed and sent to the institutions you designated. Check the SAR for accuracy and make sure that SCC is listed as a recipient of your information.
- Submit All Requested Paperwork
Upon receipt of your FAFSA data from the Department of Education, we will mail you a letter requesting documents needed to complete your file. SUBMIT all requested documentation promptly. You may be asked to submit copies of tax returns or other documentation to complete your financial aid application. Do not submit tax returns until they are requested. If you are not eligible for the grant programs, you must still submit all requested documents to be eligible for other aid, including scholarships, work-study or loans.
- Financial Aid Disbursement
Financial aid is awarded by the Financial Aid Office, but is disbursed by the SCC Business Office. Aid awards made for the academic year are disbursed in two installments, one each semester, assuming you are registered for the number of hours on which your financial aid award was based. Financial aid refunds are mailed to the student's permanent address. Refund checks are disbursed approximately 30 days after the first day of class and disbursed approximately 30 days thereafter.
- Award Notification
Financial aid award letters are mailed to those students whose files are complete by the priority date. By meeting the priority deadline, you are assured that your request for aid will be processed before the tuition payment deadline for the upcoming semester. You will receive two copies of your award letter please sign one and return to the financial aid office. By signing your award letter you are acknowledging that you have read and agree with the terms and condition and all other enclosures attached.
- Summer School and Financial Aid
Funding for summer school is limited to students who have remaining Pell eligibility not used during the previous fall and/or the current spring of the given academic year. Students must submit a separate loan request for summer if they have remaining eligibility.
Apply for Federal Loans
You must request a loan from SCC. The SCC Financial Aid Office will not automatically award a loan to you. You may apply for a Federal Stafford loan AFTER the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) has been completed and all follow-up paperwork has been submitted to the Registrar's office.
Note: Students must be enrolled at least six (6) credit hours each semester to apply for and receive a Stafford and/or Parent PLUS loan.
Note: SCC participates in the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program. Your lender will be the U.S. Department of Education for all loans processed in the 2011/12 year and beyond.
Previous SCC Borrowers
You must reapply for a student loan each academic year. The FAFSA must be completed and all follow-up paperwork submitted BEFORE we can accept your loan request. If your previous loans were not in the Federal Direct Loan Program, you MUST complete a new Master Promissory Note (MPN) before your loan will be processed. Complete your eMPN on-line at: www.studentloans.gov
New SCC Borrowers
New SCC Stafford loan applicants (students who have never had a Stafford loan at SCC) are required to complete the following 4 steps to receive a loan at SCC. The FAFSA must be completed and all follow-up paperwork submitted to SCC BEFORE you can complete these steps.
Step 1: Complete the SCC Student Loan Request Form (Available at Financial Aid Office)
Step 2: Complete Your Electronic Master Promissory Note (eMPN) and Entrance Loan Counseling
Fill out your eMPN and entrance loan counseling online at: www.studentloans.gov
Step 3: Attend Loan Workshop
All borrowers at SCC must attend a half-hour workshop before their loan request can be processed. These workshops are required each time a student request loan funds. The sessions are held once a month in the SCC auditorium
Step 4: Turn in Loan Request Form
At the end of the workshop students can turn in the loan request form or submit them to the financial aid office.
Graduating or Leaving SCC
All students who receive a student loan at SCC MUST complete Exit Counseling when they drop below half time leave the college due to withdrawal or graduate.
Loan Questions
If you have any questions about your current or previous loan (your responsibilities, regulations, payment options, complaints, etc.) you may contact your lender or the Department of Education's Loan Ombudsman at 1-877-557-2575 or through this link: Loan Ombudsman
To find out who services your student loans (your lender), and how to contact the servicer, call the Department of Education customer service line at 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243).
To find out your Federal Stafford Loan balance and/or total debt go to:
