How do I start the financial aid process? - You must first complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). A paper application can be obtained from your local college, or you can apply electronically on the web at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Once the Department of Education has processed your application, it will be sent to your college's Financial Aid Office.
What determines financial aid eligibility? - You are eligible to receive federal financial aid if you:
- Are enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a regular student
- Are a U.S. citizen or national
- Are a permanent resident of the U.S.
- Provide evidence from the Immigration and Naturalization Service that you are in the U.S. for other than a temporary purpose with the intention of becoming a permanent resident or citizen. (A copy of your green card may be required.)
- Are a permanent resident of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands or Northern Mariana Islands
- Have financial need (for need-based aid only)
- Are maintaining satisfactory academic progress according to the standards and practices of the college
- Do not owe a refund on a Pell Grant, Perkins Loan or SEOG
- Are not in default on any student loan
- Meet any additional requirements for aid received.
Is there an application deadline? - Apply early and receive priority treatment by completing your financial aid file before May 1st of the year for which you are applying. However, the federal deadline for applying for financial aid is June 30, 2008. Your college must have your correct, complete information by your last day of enrollment in the 2007-2008 school year. Check with your financial aid counselor for additional information.
Should I wait until after I have been admitted to file financial aid forms? - No! You should list any colleges to which you are applying on the FAFSA, even though you haven’t been admitted yet. There is a turn-around time of 4-6 weeks after you mail the forms before colleges receive your financial aid documents from the federal processor. (This time is cut in half if you apply electronically.) However, you must be admitted and registered before actually receiving financial aid.
Do I have to apply for financial aid every year? - Yes. In order to reflect financial information and other changes, applications are required every year. Financial aid is only awarded a year at a time. You can complete the Renewal Application for Federal Student Aid, the FAFSA, or apply on the Internet at www.fafsa.ed.gov.
What kinds of financial aid is available? - Grants, scholarships, student employment, loans and some scholarships are available at Mohave Community College.
My parents did not claim me on their tax returns this year. Can I file as an independent student? - You must first meet at least one of the 6 criteria on the FAFSA. If you do not meet one of these criteria you can discuss your special circumstances with your financial aid counselor.
Why is parental information required on the FAFSA? - Parental information is required for federal aid for almost every student under 24. In addition, it is the US Department of Education's assumption that financing a higher education is a partnership between the family, the student, and the college.
I am entering financial information for my mother and stepfather on the form. Should I list my father's Social Security Number (SSN) and last name, or my stepfather's information? - You should provide the SSN and last name of the same person or people for whom you are reporting financial information. In this case, provide the SSNs and names of your mother and stepfather.
What is a Student Aid Report (SAR)? - A SAR is the analysis of the data you reported on your FAFSA. The SAR has your calculated Expected Family Contribution (EFC) on it, which is used to determine your eligibility for financial aid. The federal processor will mail your SAR to you.
My SAR is not accurate. What do I need to do to correct it? - Since corrections to your financial aid application data may affect your eligibility, you should contact the Financial Aid Office to find out whether corrections are necessary and whether or not the Financial Aid Office can make those corrections electronically.
What is verification? - Verification is a process required by the federal government to ensure that accurate information is received. The federal government randomly selects 30% of financial aid students at every college to verify. If your application is selected for verification, you will be required to submit tax forms and complete a verification worksheet. Verification worksheets can be obtained from your college’s Financial Aid Office.
Do I have to pay back the financial aid I receive? - Loans always need to be paid back. Pell grant monies need to be paid back only if they are awarded and you do not complete the semester. Otherwise grants do not have to be paid back. Check with your financial aid counselor for additional guidelines.
If I am an emancipated minor, am I now independent? - For financial aid purposes, the Department of Education does not recognize the status of an emancipated minor. You must meet one of the other listed criteria to be independent.
If I am in the National Guard or an Active Duty military member, am I considered a veteran for purposes of filling out the FAFSA? - If you were a member of the National Guard or were a Reservist who was called to Active Duty for other than training purposes and can verify that your release from Active Duty was other than dishonorable, you are considered a veteran for FAFSA purposes. If you are on Active Duty in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines or Coast Guard, but will be a veteran by June 30 of the year you are applying for aid, and you can verify that your release from Active Duty is other than dishonorable, you are considered a Veteran for FAFSA purposes. If your Active Duty will continue past June 30, however, you are not considered a veteran for FAFSA purposes.
How do I show compliance with selective service? - Federal law requires that all male students who receive student aid must sign a statement indicating compliance with current selective service regulations. If required, students must submit a copy of their selective service registration number and card. If you already have registered but don't have your number, you can obtain it by calling 1-847-688-6888. You can also go online at www.sss.gov to apply or check your registration number.
What is acceptable tax return information? - If you are asked to submit tax return information, signed copies of the following forms are acceptable: 1040, 1040A, 1040EZ, 1040NR, TeleFile Tax Record, Form 1722, a tax return from Puerto Rico or a foreign income tax return.
**Important Notes:
- All student tax returns require the signature of the student. If the parent(s) are required to submit a copy of their tax return, the parent(s) must also sign their return. If someone other than you prepared your tax return, we can accept a paper return on which the tax preparer has stamped, typed, signed or printed her name and her SSN, EIN(Employer Identification Number) or PTIN(Preparer Tax Identification Number.)
- Electronic Filers need to submit a signed paper copy of their 1040, 1040A or 1040EZ. Do not submit Form 8453 or Form 8879.
- A TeleFile Tax Record is acceptable documentation provided it contains the filer's 10-digit IRS Confirmation Number in Line N and is signed by the filer. (There is no signature line on the form, so just sign at the bottom.)
What are acceptable documents to prove citizenship? - Please submit a copy of one of the following:
- A copy of the student's birth certificate showing that s/he was born in the U.S., which includes Puerto Rico (on or after 1/13/1941), Guam, the US Virgin Islands (on or after 1/17/1917), American Samoa, Swain's Island, or the Northern Mariana Islands, unless the person was born to foreign diplomats residing in the U.S.
- A U.S. Passport (current or expired), except limited passports, which are issued for periods of less than five years. In the case of nationals who are not citizens, the passport will be stamped "Noncitizen National."
- A copy of Form FS-240 (Consular Report of Birth Abroad), FS-545 (Certificate of birth issued by a Foreign Service post), or DS-1350 (Certification of Report of Birth). These are State Department Documents.
- A Certificate of Citizenship (N-560 or N-561) issued by the BCIS to individuals who derive U.S. citizenship through a parent.
- A Certificate of Naturalization (N-550 or N-570) issued by the BCIS through a federal or state court, or through administrative naturalization after December 1990 to those who are individually naturalized.
I did not file taxes, but I am asked to submit tax information. What should I do? - If you were employed for the tax year in question, please submit copies of your W2 forms. If you earned income at work that is not reflected on your W2 forms, please submit a statement listing the name of the employer and the amount earned. If you did not work at all, then write a statement that you did not work or have earnings during the tax year in question. Sign and date all statements and turn them into the Financial Aid Office.
I have been attending another college. I want to transfer to Mohave Community College. What do I have to do to transfer my financial aid to Mohave Community College? - You must go to the Financial Aid Office of the school you are transferring from and notify them that you will be attending Mohave Community College and that you want to use your remaining financial aid eligibility at Mohave Community College. Your total eligibility for aid at Mohave Community College will be reduced by the amount of aid used at the other school. You also need to add Mohave Community College's Federal School Code of 011864 to your FAFSA or turn in your signed Student Aid Report to Mohave Community College's Financial Aid Office.
My financial aid will not pay my bill because of my major. What do I need to do to change my major? - For federal financial aid, students are required to be in a degree-seeking or approved certificate program. If you need to update your major selection, you MUST first see an Academic Counselor in the Division of your selected major. These counselors are the only individuals on campus who can change your major. After you meet with an Academic Counselor, and s/he has updated your records, you must notify the Financial Aid Office that you have changed your major.
I tried to enter my FAFSA online but the website asked for my credit card number. Does it cost money to submit a FAFSA? - No. The FAFSA application stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid. There is no charge to apply online at www.fafsa.ed.gov or to mail in your FAFSA information. Be careful. Double check the web address that you entered. There are many websites with similar web addresses that confuse students and ask for a payment to file their FAFSA information. A payment is NOT required to apply for Federal Aid.
I have forgotten my FAFSA PIN number. Does Mohave Community College have a copy of it? - No. Mohave Community College does not have access to your U.S. Department of Education pin number. If you have lost or forgotten your pin number you must go to http://www.pin.ed.gov and follow instructions.
How is my financial aid award determined? - The federal government has established a formula which determines your expected family contribution or EFC. Your EFC can be found on your SAR. This formula, which is used by colleges and universities throughout the country, estimates your family’s financial strength in order to determine the amount your family should be able to contribute to the cost of education for the academic year. Family income, assets, size of family, number in college, as well as an allowance for retirement are among the items evaluated by this formula. The EFC is subtracted from the cost of attendance to determine your financial need.
What do you mean by a "financial aid need"? - When determining a student's "need" the Department of Education assesses the family’s ability to contribute to educational costs. This "family contribution" includes the parents' contribution, the earnings expectation from the students, and 35% per year of the student's savings and assets. The family contribution is then subtracted from the cost of education to arrive at the student's need.
What is federal work-study? - Federal work-study is a type of campus based aid that is awarded based on financial need. Many jobs that are located on campus are classified as work-study jobs. Jobs that are work-study are subsidized by the federal government so it does not cost employers as much (does not affect the wage rate) to employ work-study recipients.
How many credits do I need for a Pell Grant? - If you are eligible for a Pell grant, the actual amount awarded is based on your EFC and the number of credits you have registered for. Please refer to the Pell Chart on our website.
How can I find out more information on scholarships? - If you would like to research scholarships on your own, try looking in bookstores and libraries for books on scholarships. Information is also available on the web and in the school catalog. In addition we have linked a scholarship search engine from our web pages. We caution you not to spend money on scholarship search services as most are not reputable and will provide you with information you could have found at no charge.
If I receive a scholarship or grant will my financial aid be affected? - The federal government requires that scholarships and grants be applied to your eligibility as calculated by the FAFSA. Any additional funding you receive from any source may require an adjustment to your eligibility for federal or state aid.
What is a Federal Stafford Loan? - The Federal Stafford Loan Program consists of both subsidized and unsubsidized loans. Currently, banks and other lending institutions throughout the country administer the Federal Stafford Loan Program. The interest rate is tied to the yield rate for the 91-day treasury bills. The standard repayment period is 10 years. To apply for a Federal Stafford Loan, you must complete a FAFSA application. In addition to the FASFA you must complete a loan application and sign a promissory note. For additional information, please contact the Financial Aid Office.
Subsidized Federal Stafford Loans are awarded to students demonstrating financial need. The Subsidized loan is interest free to the student (The government pays the interest.) while the student is enrolled in school at least half time. Repayment begins six months after graduation or withdrawal from school.
Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loans are available for students; however, the government does not pay the in-school interest on these loans; therefore, interest begins to accrue immediately.
How do I choose a lender? - Choosing a lender requires careful review. Although program terms are the same for the Stafford Loan regardless of the lender, some lenders offer incentives during repayment. Such incentives include reduced interest rates for on-time payments or electronic payment of funds. Mohave Community College includes a list of lenders with your award letter.
Will I continue to receive financial aid if I fail classes? - To maintain eligibility for financial aid, you must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress. Students must complete at least 70% of all coursework, maintain a 2.0 GPA, and complete their program of study within a maximum number of credit hours (program credit hours vary). For additional guidelines regarding these requirements, refer to Mohave Community College's Satisfactory Academic Progress Standards or check with your financial aid counselor.
Do I really have to repay student loans? - Yes. A loan is an obligation and usually contains a promise to repay. However, students should consider incentives offered by federal programs. These incentives can pay the loan in full or reduce the amount owed.
Entrance & Exit Interviews - Prior to release of any federal funds, students are required to complete an entrance interview. Also, all federal student loan borrowers are required to attend an exit interview shortly before they graduate, withdraw from school, or take a leave of absence. Entrance and Exit interviews can be completed online.
Confidentiality - All materials pertaining to financial aid are confidential. Student permission (in writing) is required to release any information concerning all aspects of the financial aid process, except as provided by state or federal regulations, to a third party including spouses or parents.
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