How is my eligibility for financial aid determined?
When we receive your FAFSA information, a CCSJ Financial Aid staff member will review your application to determine your eligibility for federal, state, and institutional aid. To calculate your financial aid eligibility, your total expected family contribution (EFC) is deducted from your student budget/cost of attendance.
What is EFC?
EFC, also known as “expected family contribution,” is a measure of how much the student and his or her family can be expected to contribute towards the cost of the student’s education. It is determined based on the information provided on the FAFSA and calculated from a specified formula in accordance with federal guidelines. If you have any questions on determining your EFC, you may use the College Cost Calculator.
How will I be notified about my financial aid?
Once you have been accepted to CCSJ and we have received your FAFSA, your eligibility for federal, state, and institutional aid will be determined. Within a week, you should receive a CCSJ Award Letter via email. Request for further documentation (such as Verification documentation) and additional instructions will be included with your Award Letter or may be sent to you at a later date. A summary of your awards can also be viewed in SOS (Student Online Services) if you are a current student.
Do I have to apply for financial aid every year?
Yes, if you would like to be considered for any form of state, federal or institutional financial aid, you must complete a FAFSA each year that you are enrolled at CCSJ.
What is the Verification process?
Verification is a process used by the federal government to document and verify the information provided on the FAFSA. If you are selected for Verification, CCSJ will compare the information on your FAFSA with signed copies of your and your parent(s)’ federal tax forms, or with W-2 forms and other financial documents. Federal law states we have the right to ask for this information before awarding federal aid. If there are differences between your FAFSA information and your financial documents, a we will need to make corrections. Verification worksheets are available on our Forms page.
What is the difference between estimated and final on my award letter?
Final awards are ready to be disbursed to your student account.
Estimated awards are subject to revision. Reasons for having estimated awards include but are not limited to: incomplete verification status; packaged loans for which you have not filled out a loan application; estimated work study eligibility; you have not registered for classes.
Why have I received a revised award letter from CCSJ?
A revised award letter is sent to you each time a change is made in your financial aid package. Financial aid changes include adding, subtracting, increasing, or decreasing an award or multiple awards. Also, a change in award status: estimated to final, for example, will be reflected in a revised letter.
Where can I find a FAFSA form?
CCSJ no longer maintains paper FAFSA copies. We encourage all students to apply online through the FAFSA website: www.fafsa.ed.gov.
What is the State of Indiana’s FAFSA filing deadline?
March 10
Whose income do I use for the FAFSA if my parents are divorced or separated?
You must provide the income of the parent you lived with for the majority of the previous year (custodial parent). If your custodial parent is remarried, you must report your step-parent’s income and assets as well.
What is CCSJ’s school code for FAFSA purposes?
001834
How do I obtain a Work Study job?
The Federal Work Study Program is a campus-based program with a limited allocation that provides paid jobs for eligible students. An estimated Federal Work Study award amount will be listed on your CCSJ financial aid award letter if you indicated interest in this program on the current year FAFSA and have demonstrated financial need. To apply you may either pick up an application from the CCSJ Financial Aid Office or print an application from our website.
What is the difference between Subsidized and Unsubsidized Stafford Loans?
Subsidized Stafford Loan |
Federally based loan program with eligibility determined based on cost of attendance and need. Maximum eligibility is set by the federal government based on grade level. Interest (4.5% as of July 1, 2010) is paid by the federal government while the student is in attendance taking at least 6 credits. Repayment begins 6 months after the student stops attending school at least half time. |
Unsubsidized Stafford Loan |
Federally based loan program with eligibility NOT tied to need. Maximum eligibility is set by the federal government based on grade level and dependency status. Interest (6.8% as of July 2006) payments are the responsibility of the student as soon as the funds are disbursed, but may be deferred until repayment begins. Repayment begins six months after the student stops attending school at least half time. |
When do I need to fill out a loan application?
In general, you will need to fill out a loan application each year after completing the FASFA and receiving your award letter. Depending on the term you select on your loan application and your financial aid package, you may have to complete a new loan application each smester.
Do I have to make an appointment to get financial aid?
No, but you are encouraged to meet with a financial aid staff memeber at least initially to understand the financial aid process and address any questions you may have. CCSJ accepts student visitors on a walk in basis.
What are the costs for CCSJ for 2011-2012?
Part-Time, Transition to Teaching, Adult Accelerated, and Graduate Students |
I don’t live with my parents and they do not support me. Does that make me Independent?
Living on your own and supporting yourself does not make you Independent for FAFSA purposes. In order to file as an Independent student you must be able to answer yes to at least one of the following questions for the 2011 - 2012 school year:
- Were you born before January 1, 1988?
- Are you married as of the date you completed your FAFSA?
- At the beginning of the 2011-2012 school year, will you be working on a master’s or doctorate program?
- Are you currently serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces for purposes other than training?
- Are you a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces?
- Do you have children who will receive more than half of their support from you between July 1, 2011 and June 30, 2012?
- Do you have dependents (other than your children or spouse) who live with you and who receive more than half of their support from you, now and through June 30, 2012?
- At any time since you turned age 13, were both your parents deceased, were you in foster care or were you a dependent or ward of the court?
- As determined by a court in your state of legal residence, are you or were you an emancipated minor?
- As determined by a court in your state of legal residence, are you or were you in legal guardianship?
- At any time on or after July 1, 2010, did your high school or school district homeless liaison determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless?
- At any time on or after July 1, 2010, did the director of an emergency shelter or transitional housing program funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless?
- At any time on or after July 1, 2010, did the director of a runaway or homeless youth basic center or transitional living program determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless or were self-supporting and at risk of being homeless?
My father was laid off from his job after I filed the FAFSA. What should I do?
The CCSJ Office of Financial Aid can take this into consideration and possibly make adjustments to your financial aid. You are encouraged to fill out a Special Circumstances Form (can be found on our Forms webpage) and submit it to our office with supporting documentation.
|
