Financial Aid FAQ’s

Financial Aid Application (FAFSA)
All other Financial Aid Forms can be found by logging in to CougarNet and clicking on the "Financial Aid" tab.
Available Scholarships
Online Scholarship Application
Student Ambassador Packet

Got a question about financial aid? We’ve got answers!

What form do I use to apply for financial aid?
First, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You and your parent, if applicable, may sign the FAFSA with a Federal Student Aid ID (FSA ID). See Scholarship Opportunities for institutional applications for other scholarships.

When do I apply?
For the best chance at receiving financial aid, apply as soon as possible after October 1.

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?
After your application or correction is successfully submitted, you’ll receive a confirmation page with a confirmation number. This number is proof that your application or correction was successfully submitted. Print your confirmation page for your records, or if you provide an email address on your application or correction, you can have the confirmation page emailed to you.

After submitting your FAFSA, you’ll receive a student aid report (SAR). If you provide your email address, you’ll receive an email, within five days, which will include instructions on how to access an online copy of your SAR. Don’t provide an email address, and your SAR will be mailed to you via postal mail within 10 days. The colleges you list on your FAFSA will receive your information electronically as soon as it’s processed.

If your application is complete, an expected family contribution (EFC) will display on your SAR. If your application is incomplete, your SAR won’t include an EFC, but it will list any issues that need to be resolved.

If your FAFSA is incomplete:
Make a mistake on your FAFSA? Fix it by clicking Start Here on the home page to log in to FAFSA on the Web. Click Make FAFSA Corrections, enter your FSA ID, add or correct the information that caused your FAFSA to be incomplete and submit your corrections. Or you can 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 information 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. Contrary to what some think, 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’ll receive. Rather, it is a number used by CSCC to calculate the amount of federal student aid you’re eligible to receive.

Your school, your state or federal student aid workers may ask you to verify the accuracy of the information you provide on your FAFSA.

What is verification?
The U.S. Department of Education selects students’ SARs for verification of information submitted on the FAFSA. Also, the Financial Aid Office may select SARs for verification. If this occurs, the Financial Aid Office will notify you via CougarNet of the need to supply documentation to verify information on your SAR.

Do I have to be a full-time student to receive financial aid?
No. However, you won’t be eligible for as much aid as full-time students. (Students with higher EFCs may not be eligible at a lower enrollment status.) To receive a loan, you must be enrolled in a minimum of six credit hours.

When can I expect financial aid funds to be available?
If you return the required paperwork by the deadline, your tuition and fees will be charged to your financial aid. If there are remaining funds, you may choose to have the credit balance deposited to your bank account; otherwise, the Business Office will mail a paper check to your address on record. Refunds will be available after the 14th day of classes, provided you have attended all your classes for the first time and your instructors have verified your attendance.

Is it too late to apply for financial aid?
Of course not! In fact, it’s never too late to apply for financial aid. If you file late and your information is not received by the Financial Aid Office until after the deadline date, you will have to pay for your credit hours initially. Once you receive financial aid, you will be reimbursed.

How will COVID-19 Coronavirus effect my financial aid?
To answer all your question please click link https://studentaid.gov/announcements-events/coronavirus#student-questions 

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